Relationshop > Brown’s Dictionary > Negative

definition of negative

an original definition by J. E. Brown

part of a series on Words That Children Use Incorrectly: conceited • drama • honesty • negative • pouting • sense of humor • silent treatment • spite

negative

adj.

1. A term of disapproval.
2. A euphemism for “something or what or which I don’t like”. An example of pronoun removal, in which a person makes an opinionated statement but leaves out the word “I” in order to make the opinionated statement sound objective and therefore less selfish. Example: Instead of saying “I disapprove of your sadness because I lack empathy for others,” the judgmental person says “You have a negative attitude.”
3. A judgmental term used by stoics to criticize and invalidate the emotions of others, esp. emotions which are not covered up with fake happiness and pasted-on smiles.
4. A term used to describe actions which tend to have undesirable effects.

Antonyms:

positive; stoic.

Related Concepts:

feeding frenzy; smile police; stoicism.
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