pollyannaish
Relentlessly, unrealistically cheerful
Pollyannaish describes excessive or naive optimism, especially when circumstances don't warrant it.
The word comes from Pollyanna, a 1913 children's novel whose young heroine finds something to be glad about in every situation.
The term is usually dismissive: His pollyannaish belief that everything would work out ignored the mounting evidence of disaster.
Also spelled Pollyannaish.
Innocently unsuspecting
- gullibleEasily deceived
- credulousProne to blind trust
- ingenuousInnocently frank and trusting
- trustingInclined to believe others
innocent · unsophisticated · childlike · unworldly · simple · green · inexperienced · unsuspecting
Lacking basis in reality
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
- idealisticPursuing unrealistic standards
- utopianImpractically perfect in conception
- wishfulDriven by desire
impractical · overoptimistic · fanciful · delusional · pie-in-the-sky · rose-tinted · chimerical · illusory
naive
Innocently unsuspecting
trusting · innocent · unsophisticated · childlike · unworldly · simple · green · inexperienced · unsuspecting · artless
unrealistic
Lacking basis in reality
- quixoticImpractically pursuing lofty goals
- idealisticPursuing unrealistic standards
- utopianImpractically perfect in conception
wishful · impractical · overoptimistic · fanciful · delusional · pie-in-the-sky · rose-tinted · chimerical · illusory · foolhardy
optimistic
Expecting positive results
sunny · upbeat · positive · cheerful · encouraging · confident · rosy · unflagging · undaunted · irrepressible
pollyannaishpessimistic
Expecting negative outcomes
cynical · gloomy · defeatist · despairing · fatalistic
pollyannaishcynical
Doubting human goodness
jaded · world-weary · distrustful · suspicious · misanthropic