defeatist
1 synonyms and 0 antonyms for defeatist, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Showing a readiness to accept failure or defeat without much of a fight.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
From "defeat" plus the suffix -ist, modelled on French défaitiste, a term first used to describe those who wanted to give up during wartime.
Full origin of defeatist →Frequently asked questions
What does “defeatist” mean?
The word “defeatist” means showing a readiness to accept failure or defeat without much of a fight. In plain terms, giving up before really trying, or believing failure is inevitable.
How do you pronounce “defeatist”?
“Defeatist” is pronounced dih-FEE-tihst (/dɪˈfiːtɪst/ in IPA).
How do you use “defeatist” in a sentence?
Here is “defeatist” used in a sentence: “His defeatist attitude was dragging the whole team down.”
What part of speech is “defeatist”?
Depending on how it is used, “defeatist” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “defeatist” come from?
The word “defeatist” comes from French. From "defeat" plus the suffix -ist, modelled on French défaitiste, a term first used to describe those who wanted to give up during wartime.
How many meanings does “defeatist” have?
“Defeatist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: showing a readiness to accept failure or defeat without much of a fight.