negativity

negativity — noun

1. a way of thinking and behaving that focuses on the bad parts of a situation rath

1.nounB2
Definition

a way of thinking and behaving that focuses on the bad parts of a situation rather than the good ones, often showing a lack of hope or interest

Example

Haruto's constant negativity made his coworkers dread team meetings.

The manager asked the team to set aside their negativity and focus on solutions.

verb + negativity: set aside / overcome / reduce

Common collocations
  • constant negativity
  • unnecessary negativity
  • relentless negativity
  • a culture of negativity
  • a climate of negativity
  • to spread negativity
  • to avoid negativity
  • to overcome negativity
  • to reduce negativity
  • negativity about something
  • negativity toward someone
Synonyms
  • pessimism

    more philosophical or dispositional; implies a habitual tendency to expect the worst

  • cynicism

    stronger negative connotation involving distrust of others' motives, not just lack of hope

  • gloom

    more emotional and mood-based than intellectual; suggests sadness as much as pessimism

  • defeatism

    implies giving up or expecting failure before even trying; stronger than general negativity

Antonyms
  • optimism

    the direct opposite — a tendency to see the positive side and expect good outcomes

  • positivity

    broader and less formal; can include both optimistic thinking and constructive behaviour

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun expressing abstract attitude

Usage Note

Typically uncountable in this sense. Common in patterns such as 'a culture/climate of negativity', 'negativity about/toward [something]', and after verbs like 'spread', 'avoid', 'overcome', 'reduce'.

Common Mistakes

I am tired of all these negativities at work.
I am tired of all this negativity at work.
The general attitude sense is uncountable; do not pluralise it.
His negativity about the project was not help.
His negativity about the project was not helpful.
'Negativity' is a noun; do not confuse it with the adjective 'negative' or use it as a predicate adjective.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe a negative outlook, but they differ in scope and emotional weight. Negativity is the broadest and most neutral term — it simply means focusing on what is wrong rather than what is right. Pessimism is a more settled, philosophical tendency to expect the worst (a pessimist believes things will go badly). Cynicism goes a step further by adding distrust — a cynic suspects others of selfish or dishonest motives, not just that outcomes will be poor. Gloom is more emotional: it describes a heavy, sad atmosphere or mood rather than a consistent worldview. Defeatism is action-oriented: a defeatist gives up before trying, convinced that effort is pointless. For example: 'Her negativity annoyed the team, but it wasn't deep cynicism — she just couldn't see how the plan would work.' 'His gloom lifted once the good news arrived, unlike a true pessimist who would have found a reason to doubt it.'

pessimismcynicismgloom ↗defeatism

Common collocations

Nouns

  • culture of ___
  • climate of ___
  • cloud of ___
  • atmosphere of ___

Phrases

  • set aside ___
  • cut down on ___
  • overcome ___
  • spread ___
  • avoid ___
  • reduce ___

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed from the adjective 'negative' (meaning 'expressing denial or refusal') plus the noun-forming suffix '-ity'. The word 'negative' traces back through French to Latin 'negativus', from 'negare' meaning 'to deny'. The sense of 'negative' referring to a pessimistic attitude developed in the mid-1800s, and the noun 'negativity' followed shortly after.