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Antonyms for negative


Grammar : Adj, noun
Spell : neg-uh-tiv
Phonetic Transcription : ˈnɛg ə tɪv



Definition of negative

Origin :
  • c.1400, "expressing denial," from Old French negatif (13c.) and directly from Latin negativus "that which denies," from negat-, past participle stem of negare "deny, say no" (see deny). Meaning "expressing negation" is from c.1500; that of "characterized by absence" is from 1560s. Algebraic sense is from 1670s. The electricity sense is from 1755.
  • Negative Capability, that is when a man is capable of being in uncertainties, Mysteries, doubts without any irritable reaching after fact and reason. [John Keats, letter, Dec. 21, 1817]
  • Related: Negatively.
  • adj bad, contradictory
  • noun contradiction
Example sentences :
  • It is a negative power, and is conservative in its character.
  • Extract from : « United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches » by Various
  • They have begun so cruelly with me, that I have not spirit enough to assert my own negative.
  • Extract from : « Clarissa, Volume 1 (of 9) » by Samuel Richardson
  • And, the reply being in the negative, had said, 'Then I won't look at you.'
  • Extract from : « Little Dorrit » by Charles Dickens
  • A few took up the refrain, but the general tone was negative.
  • Extract from : « The Slave Of The Lamp » by Henry Seton Merriman
  • You may say if you like that Robespierre was (in a negative sort of way) mad.
  • Extract from : « Alarms and Discursions » by G. K. Chesterton
  • Here, then, we have some negative certainties and some positive uncertainties.
  • Extract from : « Storyology » by Benjamin Taylor
  • The picture of perfection itself is cold, negative, and mediocre.
  • Extract from : « Shelley, Godwin and Their Circle » by H. N. Brailsford
  • At present, let us have a look at the negative already treated.
  • Extract from : « Spawn of the Comet » by Harold Thompson Rich
  • He lifted the anode from the solution now, removed the negative, and held it up.
  • Extract from : « Spawn of the Comet » by Harold Thompson Rich
  • It is a negative idea which in the course of ages has become positive.
  • Extract from : « Theaetetus » by Plato

Synonyms for negative

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019