adjective
defeatist
dih-FEE-tihst
Defeatist (adjective) means showing a readiness to accept failure or defeat without much of a fight. Example: “His defeatist attitude was dragging the whole team down.”
adjective
1
Showing a readiness to accept failure or defeat without much of a fight.
"His defeatist attitude was dragging the whole team down."
noun
1
Someone who expects or too readily accepts failure.
"Don't be such a defeatist — we still have a chance to win this."
How to use defeatist
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGiving up before really trying, or believing failure is inevitable.
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Word forms
- Plural
- defeatists
- Comparative
- more defeatist
- Superlative
- most defeatist
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His _____ attitude was dragging the whole team down.
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.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for defeatist
See all rhymes for 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.
