negative
8 synonyms and 2 antonyms for negative, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Expressing disapproval, pessimism, or something undesirable.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use negative
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin negativus, "that denies," from negare, "to deny" — the root behind negate.
Full origin of negative →Frequently asked questions
What does “negative” mean?
The word “negative” means expressing disapproval, pessimism, or something undesirable. In plain terms, the opposite of positive — bad, unwanted, below zero, or a "no" result.
How do you pronounce “negative”?
“Negative” is pronounced NEHG-uh-tihv (/ˈnɛɡ.ə.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “negative” in a sentence?
Here is “negative” used in a sentence: “The reviews were overwhelmingly negative.”
What is the opposite of “negative”?
The opposite of “negative” — its antonyms — are positive and affirmative.
What part of speech is “negative”?
Depending on how it is used, “negative” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “negative” come from?
The word “negative” comes from Latin. From Latin negativus, "that denies," from negare, "to deny" — the root behind negate.
Is “negative” a common word?
“Negative” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “negative” have?
“Negative” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: expressing disapproval, pessimism, or something undesirable.
What is the difference between 'negative' and 'negligent'?
The words sound alike but mean different things. 'Negative' describes an attitude or outlook — expressing disapproval, pessimism, or something undesirable. 'Negligent' means failing to take proper care, being careless about a duty. A negative person complains; a negligent person neglects. Only the first is about mood or opinion.
Is 'negative' always a bad thing?
Not always. As an attitude, 'negative' usually signals pessimism or disapproval, which is unwelcome. But in other fields it is neutral or even good news — a negative medical test means no disease was found, and in maths or electricity 'negative' simply denotes a sign or direction, with no judgement attached.
What is the opposite of 'negative'?
The opposite of 'negative' is 'positive' — expressing approval, optimism, or something desirable. A positive attitude looks on the bright side, where a negative one dwells on problems. Depending on context, 'upbeat', 'favourable', and 'encouraging' also work well as opposites of a negative outlook.