Synonyms of positive

positive 1 of 2

adjective

ˈpä-zə-tiv 

1

as in favorable

expressing approval

hoped for a positive reaction from the audience

Synonyms & Similar Words

• favorable
• good
• appreciative
• friendly
• approving
• supportive
• complimentary
• commendatory
• admiring
• accepting
• warm
• sympathetic
• applauding
• respectful
• approbatory
• laudatory
• praiseful
• flattering
• eulogistic
• hagiographical
• hagiographic
• panegyrical
• encomiastic
• worshipful
• advisory
• adoring
• laudative
• adulatory
• worshiping
• worshipping
• recommendatory
• idolizing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• negative
• unfavorable
• adverse
• derogatory
• unflattering
• uncomplimentary
• unfriendly
• disapproving
• unappreciative
• depreciative
• depreciatory
• critical
• inappreciative
• hypercritical
• captious
• overcritical
• faultfinding
• censuring
• disparaging
• contemptuous
• scornful
• disdainful
• carping
• belittling
• cavilling
• slighting
• caviling

2

as in confident

having or showing a mind free from doubt

I'm positive that this is the right direction

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confident
• sure
• certain
• assured
• implicit
• clear
• sanguine
• doubtless
• cocksure
• decisive
• resolute
• self-confident
• self-assured
• unwavering
• unhesitating
• unquestioning
• unfaltering
• self-conceited

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• uncertain
• doubtful
• dubious
• unsure
• hesitant
• indecisive
• unassuming
• wavering
• vacillating
• diffident

3

as in conclusive

not capable of being challenged or proved wrong

seeks positive proof that UFO's exist

Synonyms & Similar Words

• conclusive
• definite
• undeniable
• irrefutable
• indisputable
• unquestionable
• incontrovertible
• incontestable
• certain
• indubitable
• unarguable
• irrefragable
• sure
• accomplished
• unanswerable
• unchallengeable
• inarguable
• unequivocal
• unambiguous
• decisive
• absolute
• clear
• uncontradicted
• undisputed
• unquestioned
• uncontested
• hands-down

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• problematic
• questionable
• problematical
• controversial
• debatable
• negotiable
• arguable
• disputable
• uncertain
• answerable
• moot
• doubtful
• disputed
• inconclusive
• ambiguous
• dubious
• controvertible
• contradictable
• refutable
• iffy
• indecisive
• theoretical
• debated
• equivocal
• academic
• speculative
• hypothetical
• doubtable
• theoretic
• academical

positive

2 of 2

noun

as in yea

Synonyms & Similar Words

• yea
• pro
• yes
• approval
• acceptance
• grace

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• negative
• no
• con
• nay
• non placet
• veto
• blackball

Try This Instead

For

Try This

positive feedback

encouraging feedback

constructive feedback

affirmative feedback

favorable feedback

welcome feedback

a positive effect

a beneficial effect

a good effect

an important effect

a favorable effect

a healthy effect

a positive attitude

an optimistic attitude

a cheerful attitude

a healthy attitude

an upbeat attitude

a hopeful attitude

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective positive contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of positive are certain, cocksure, and sure. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

When would certain be a good substitute for positive?

The meanings of certain and positive largely overlap; however, certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

When can cocksure be used instead of positive?

While in some cases nearly identical to positive, cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

When could sure be used to replace positive?

In some situations, the words sure and positive are roughly equivalent. However, sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of positive

Adjective

Researchers noted the positive effects of ecstatic epilepsy and synthesized fifty-three theoretical models of delusion. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harpers Magazine, 22 May 2025

The results show that Rasmus has tested positive for paternity — but the match is only 24.1%. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 22 May 2025

Noun

Nobody can answer that question with certainty, even if the easing U.S.-China trade tensions and the flurry of business deals announced this week during Trump’s Mideast tour are positives for market sentiment right now. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 16 May 2025

The main positive of course is that Emma is still with us. —Kc Baker, People.com, 12 May 2025