defeatism

American  

[dih-fee-tiz-uhm] / dɪˈfi tɪz əm /

noun

1. the attitude, policy, or conduct of a person who admits, expects, or no longer resists defeat, as because of a conviction that further struggle or effort is futile; pessimistic resignation.

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defeatism British  

/ dɪˈfiːtɪzəm /

noun

1. a ready acceptance or expectation of defeat

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Other Word Forms

• defeatist noun

Etymology

Origin of defeatism

1915–20; defeat + -ism, modeled on French défaitisme

Example Sentences

But with enough resources, the Patriot target is achievable, despite much defeatism about U.S. industrial capacity.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I think there’s a lot of negative polarization at play — an expression of defeatism or disenfranchisement at the fact that status quo politicians aren’t addressing young men’s problems.”

From Los Angeles Times

Addressing supporters in his Newark constituency, he said the party should reject "defeatism" but also needed to be "grounded in realism".

From BBC

It came to embody Italy’s ambition and technical ingenuity, but also its political instability, bad governance, bureaucracy, corruption, debt and defeatism as delays mounted.

From New York Times

And some scientists and experts worry that their defeatism — which could undermine efforts to take action — may be just as dangerous as climate denial.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• capitulation
• resignation