negative Definition
- 1expressing or implying the opposite of affirmation; denying
- 2pessimistic or cynical
- 3lacking positive qualities
Using negative: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "negative" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He has a negative attitude towards everything.
Example
The test result was negative for COVID-19.
Example
The company's financial report showed a negative growth rate.
Example
The politician's speech had a negative impact on his reputation.
negative Synonyms and Antonyms
Antonyms for negative
Idioms Using negative
Example
When asked if he had any experience with coding, he replied in the negative.
Example
Don't think negative, try to focus on the positive aspects of the project.
Example
I don't want to be a negative Nancy, but I don't think this plan will work.
Phrases with negative
critical comments or reactions to something, often used in business or product development
Example
The company received negative feedback from customers about their new product.
Example
The artist used negative space to create a sense of balance in the painting.
a type of conditioning in which an unpleasant stimulus is removed after a behavior to decrease the likelihood of that behavior happening again
Example
The dog stopped barking when the owner gave it negative reinforcement by taking away its toy.
Origins of negative
from Latin 'negativus', meaning 'denying'
Summary: negative in Brief
The term 'negative' [ˈnɛɡətɪv] refers to expressing or implying the opposite of affirmation, or lacking positive qualities. It can describe attitudes, test results, growth rates, and impacts. Phrases like 'negative feedback,' 'negative space,' and 'negative reinforcement' extend the term into business, art, and psychology. Idioms like 'in the negative' and 'negative Nancy' denote unfavorable responses and attitudes.