The meaning of NEGATIVE is marked by denial, prohibition, or refusal; also : marked by absence, withholding, or removal of something positive. How to use negative in a sentence.

When we want to say that something is not true or is not the case, we can use negative words, phrases or clauses. Negation can happen in a number of ways, most commonly, when we use a negative …

A fact, situation, or experience that is negative is unpleasant, depressing, or harmful. The news from overseas is overwhelmingly negative. All this had an extremely negative effect on the criminal justice …

NEGATIVE definition: expressing or containing negation or denial. See examples of negative used in a sentence.

Indicating opposition or resistance: a negative reaction to the new advertising campaign. 2. Lacking positive or constructive features, especially: a. Unpleasant; disagreeable: had a negative experience …

Nov 13, 2025 · Adjective negative (comparative more negative, superlative most negative) Not positive or neutral; bad; undesirable; unfavourable.

There are 23 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun negative, nine of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

lacking positive attributes (opposed to positive): a dull, lifeless, negative character. lacking in constructiveness, helpfulness, optimism, cooperativeness, or the like: a man of negative viewpoint.

NEGATIVE meaning: 1 : harmful or bad not wanted; 2 : thinking about the bad qualities of someone or something thinking that a bad result will happen not hopeful or optimistic

Synonyms for NEGATIVE: hostile, adverse, unfavorable, unpleasant, contentious, antagonistic, conflicting, opposed; Antonyms of NEGATIVE: sympathetic, social, friendly, pleasant, hospitable, …