J. R. Moehringer

I've been trying to write a book since before I was old enough to vote, and I've collected many rejection slips from publishers and magazines. I used to keep them all stuck to my refrigerator, with magnets, but an ex-girlfriend told me they were depressing, and defeatist, and suggested I take them down. A very wise suggestion on her part.

American Journalist

Barkha Dutt

When Sania Mirza says she feels hurt or fed up at constantly grabbing the headlines for the wrong reasons, it's an understandable reaction. But when she goes ahead to say she doesn't want to play in India anymore, we can't help thinking it's the sort of thing you'd expect a defeatist to say.

Indian Journalist

Jimmy Barnes

Around 2001, I went to rehab in Arizona, and I started to see what was going on and how the past affected me. I started to get a grip on it. But over the next decade, I reverted to the behaviour I used to protect myself when I was young - being mindless, being defeatist and full of bravado.

Scottish Musician

Gina Miller

When we're anxious we tend to shrink into a defeatist position, curving our shoulders or backs. Learning to stand straight, take a breath and speak slowly helps to project a sense of confidence, relieving some of that anxiety.

Guyanese Activist

Conor Oberst

I have a lot of friends that take that position of extreme cynicism, and I just can't let myself go to that place. It's just too easy, and it's just too defeatist.

American Musician

Louise Mensch

Of course women can have it all - if they want it all. I won't hear any defeatist talk. If you just dwell on problems, you won't get anywhere fast.

English Author

Thom Tillis

Instead of focusing on this sort of defeatist mentality where we've gotta up the minimum wage, why don't we focus on creating better-paying jobs?

American Politician

Paul Dini

In every story I've written with Batman, there's an element of justice - you never want to have the story end on a defeatist or a cynical note.

American Writer

Christopher Reeve

It's defeatist to harp on what might have been, and yet, it's hard to resist considering what might have been.

American Actor

Ted Cruz

The single biggest surprise about arriving to the Senate is the defeatist attitude here.

The word 'defeatist' carries a negative emotional charge and suggests giving up easily.

Emotional Weight

In many cultures, having a defeatist attitude is frowned upon, as resilience is valued.

Cultural Perception

'Defeatist' is often used in motivational speeches to encourage a change in mindset.

Motivational Context

Being called a defeatist suggests that one's behavior demonstrates a lack of effort.

Behavior Implication

A defeatist person might be seen as unreliable in professional settings where resilience is key.

Career Impact

In stories, a defeatist character can highlight the theme of overcoming adversity.