Pollyannish
Naively, relentlessly cheerful
Pollyannish describes someone excessively or naively optimistic, especially in the face of difficulties that warrant concern.
The term comes from Pollyanna, the title character of a 1913 novel who finds something to be glad about in every situation.
The word usually carries a critical edge—suggesting the optimism is unrealistic or irritating: His Pollyannish view of the economy ignores serious warning signs.
Also spelled Pollyannaish.
Innocently frank and trusting
- gullibleEasily deceived
- credulousProne to blind trust
- trustingInclined to believe others
- unsuspectingNot anticipating danger
childlike · innocent · guileless · artless · unquestioning · uncritical · simple · wide-eyed
Excessively positive in outlook
- wishfulDriven by desire
- delusionalHolding false beliefs firmly
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
- rose-coloredPinkish or overly hopeful
impractical · fanciful · dreamy · fantastical · illusory · utopian · pie-in-the-sky · head-in-clouds
ingenuous
Innocently frank and trusting
unsuspecting · childlike · innocent · guileless · artless · unquestioning · uncritical · simple · wide-eyed · starry-eyed
overoptimistic
Excessively positive in outlook
- wishfulDriven by desire
- delusionalHolding false beliefs firmly
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
rose-colored · impractical · fanciful · dreamy · fantastical · illusory · utopian · pie-in-the-sky · head-in-clouds · ungrounded
Pollyannishcynical
Doubting human goodness
pessimistic · defeatist · fatalistic · gloomy · nihilistic
Pollyannishrealistic
True to life
clear-eyed · hard-nosed · pragmatic · level-headed · sober