negativism
negativism Lexical Profile
negativism Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A habitual attitude of skepticism, pessimism, or active resistance to the suggestions, ideas, or constructive efforts of others.
"The committee's persistent negativism made it nearly impossible to pass any meaningful reforms."
In psychology and psychiatry, a behavioral tendency to resist external commands, requests, or expectations, either passively by failing to comply or actively by doing the exact opposite of what is asked.
"Toddlers frequently exhibit a developmental phase of negativism as they begin to assert their personal autonomy."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often used interchangeably with 'negativity' in general contexts, 'negativism' more specifically implies active or habitual resistance to suggestions, orders, or constructive action, and serves as a technical term in psychology.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the mid-19th century from 'negative' (from Latin 'negativus', meaning 'that denies') combined with the suffix '-ism'.