Pollyanna

A person characterized by pervasive optimism and a tendency to find good in everything, even when faced with adversity or unpleasant circumstances. This optimistic outlook, often to an excessive or naive degree, can sometimes be perceived as unrealistic or lacking a grounded understanding of the complexities of life. The term often implies an unwillingness to acknowledge or address negative aspects or problems, focusing solely on the positive, sometimes to the detriment of practical solutions or realistic assessments. A pollyanna can exhibit a cheerfulness that seems forced or disingenuous, ignoring harsh realities in favor of a relentlessly upbeat perspective. Their focus is always on the bright side, regardless of the situation.

Pollyanna meaning with examples

• Despite losing her job, Sarah maintained a pollyanna attitude, saying, "Everything happens for a reason, and this is an opportunity to find something even better!" She was constantly trying to look on the bright side, refusing to acknowledge the stress that it was causing for her husband who was worried about her career. Her optimism, while admirable, felt sometimes forced and disconnected from the reality of their situation and made them both isolated.
• After the car accident, Mark was surprisingly Pollyanna. He focused solely on how lucky they were to be alive, dismissing any discussion about the extent of the damage to the vehicle or any financial burden. While it was good that they were thankful, they may want to consider the impact, emotionally and financially, for moving forward.
• The reviewer criticized the movie's pollyanna portrayal of a historical event, arguing that it glossed over the significant challenges and suffering experienced by the people involved in the situation. They noted that this simplistic view of the historical event made the situation appear unrealistically positive and failed to represent history correctly.
• Even though the company's profits plummeted, the CEO delivered a pollyanna speech, highlighting minor achievements and avoiding any mention of the significant losses or upcoming redundancies. This upbeat approach was not well received by the team.
• Her friends worried that her relentless pollyanna disposition prevented her from fully processing her grief after the loss of her dog. They felt she should let herself feel some sadness, instead of always searching for the positive, and in this way, the whole situation started to feel unnatural.