Negativist

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A person who habitually expresses opposition or denial of ideas, proposals, or views; an individual inclined to resist or reject notions or plans
2. Someone characterized by a persistent tendency to disagree or dissent from commonly accepted opinions or actions; a person who adopts a contrary or pessimistic attitude towards concepts or suggestions
3. An individual who consistently refuses to accept or endorse beliefs, policies, or arguments; one who maintains a skeptical or critical stance against prevailing thoughts or initiatives

Etymology: "Negativist" is built from "negative" and the suffix "-ist," which marks a person who holds to or practises something. Put together, the word describes someone who habitually takes the negative view, objecting to plans and doubting proposals almost by reflex. The suffix does most of the work here. "-ist" is attached to many words to name a follower of a doctrine or a habitual practitioner, as in "realist" or "pianist," so "negativist" simply turns the adjective "negative" into a label for a type of person. Its meaning comes from the combination rather than from any single surprising turn.

Synonyms: pessimist, contrarian, dissenter, opponent, skeptic

Antonyms: optimist, supporter, believer, enthusiast, proponent