defeatist
UK: dɪˈfiːtɪst | US: dɪˈfiːtɪst
n. a person who expects or is excessively ready to accept failure
adj. showing acceptance or expectation of defeat
The word "defeatist" combines "defeat," derived from Old French desfait (past participle of desfaire, meaning "to undo" or "overcome"), with the suffix "-ist," indicating a person who adheres to a certain attitude or philosophy. The term emerged in the early 20th century, reflecting a mindset of resignation or passive acceptance of failure, often in political or military contexts. The morphemes logically merge to describe someone who embodies or expects defeat.
His defeatist attitude discouraged the team from trying harder.
The general criticized the soldiers for their defeatist talk.
She rejected the defeatist notion that the project was doomed to fail.
Defeatist policies can undermine a nation's resilience in crises.
The coach urged the players to abandon their defeatist mindset.