defeatism
noun
de·feat·ism
di-ˈfē-ˌti-zəm 
dē-
: an attitude of accepting, expecting, or being resigned to defeat
Examples of defeatism in a Sentence
We must not give in to defeatism. We must be optimistic.
Recent Examples on the Web
And yet, as the deadline loomed, there were also legitimate reasons to temper such defeatism.
—
Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2025
By contrast, maybe such language engenders a sense of defeatism, a belief in the inevitability of collapse which is collectively paralyzing.
—Ed Simon
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
This defeatism has been supported by a second, equally pernicious assumption: that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to subjugating Ukraine cannot be deterred.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Too often the effect has been to make the GOP put lipstick on defeatism.
—Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for defeatism
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Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 1 Oct. 2025
By contrast, maybe such language engenders a sense of defeatism, a belief in the inevitability of collapse which is collectively paralyzing.
—Ed Simon
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
This defeatism has been supported by a second, equally pernicious assumption: that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s commitment to subjugating Ukraine cannot be deterred.
—Michael Carpenter, Foreign Affairs, 1 July 2025
Too often the effect has been to make the GOP put lipstick on defeatism.
—Andreas Kluth, Mercury News, 19 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for defeatism
Cite this Entry
“Defeatism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/defeatism. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
defeatism
noun
de·feat·ism
di-ˈfēt-ˌiz-əm
: an attitude of expecting defeat or of accepting defeat with the belief that further effort would be useless
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