positive
Usage
What are other ways to say positive?
The adjective positive implies emphatic certainty, which may even become overconfidence or dogmatism. Certain suggests that there are definite reasons that have freed one from doubt. Confident emphasizes the strength of the belief or the certainty of expectation felt. Sure, the simplest and most general term, expresses mere absence of doubt.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Since May 2025, each month of positive job growth has been followed by a month of outright declines, writes Olu Sonola, head of U.S. economics for Fitch Ratings.
From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026
Disclosure of the case, and the positive tone from Beijing, adds to the evidence that bilateral ties between the U.S. and China are stabilizing ahead of Trump’s visit to Beijing.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
"Smaller studies in China have previously shown positive results in children, but this is the first time that the method has been tested in teenagers and adults, too," says Dr. Duan.
From Science Daily • Apr. 3, 2026
But the Southern California cub experienced a positive turn of fate when state wildlife officials rescued him last week and transported him to the Los Angeles Zoo for emergency treatment.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026
Both false alarms and true warnings will be improved by knowing the difference between a bad day on the mountain and a positive signal that a volcano is on the brink of eruption.
From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
