Defeatists

Defeatists are individuals who habitually anticipate failure or negative outcomes, often exhibiting a pessimistic outlook and a tendency to surrender easily in the face of challenges. They tend to focus on potential obstacles rather than opportunities and may discourage others with their negative pronouncements. This attitude can stem from a lack of confidence, past failures, or a fundamental belief that success is unattainable. They may actively resist efforts to improve or strive for goals, believing them to be futile, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy of failure.

Defeatists meaning with examples

• Despite the project's promising start, the team's defeatists immediately began predicting doom, focusing on every potential roadblock. Their pessimism quickly sapped team morale and hampered their collaborative efforts. The defeatists, seeing the initial challenges as insurmountable, discouraged any proactive solutions before anyone had the time to create them.
• The coach tried to inspire the team, but the defeatists in the locker room kept harping on past losses and the strength of the opposing team. Their negative energy cast a pall over the upcoming game, and they refused to consider any positive scenarios. This undermined the players' confidence and lowered their chances of performing well.
• When confronted with the challenge of reducing waste, several defeatists in the company immediately dismissed the idea as unrealistic and too expensive. They focused solely on the initial costs and difficulties, disregarding potential long-term benefits and creating a cycle of inaction amongst colleagues, ultimately leading to no changes.
• The community's efforts to rebuild the park were undermined by a group of defeatists who constantly voiced concerns about funding and public support. Their negativity created a climate of discouragement, discouraging volunteer efforts and making the ambitious project seem unachievable. The defeatists ultimately slowed down the project immensely.
• The sales team's initial enthusiasm waned after a string of rejections, and some individuals adopted a defeatist attitude. They stopped making follow-up calls and lost the will to pursue new leads. This self-imposed failure led to reduced sales figures, fulfilling their pessimistic prediction of failure.