frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

7 hypothesis, thesis, principle, contention, assertion,
predication, belief, proposition, postulate: His position is
based on the implications of the third law of thermodynamics.
--v. 8 put, place, situate, site, set, fix, settle, dispose,
arrange: The pointer is again positioned at zero. Position your
forces along this ridge and stay on full alert. 9 place, locate,
establish, determine, fix, localize: The scientists positioned
the seismic activity as being along the San Andreas fault.
positive adj. 1 sure, certain, definite, unequivocal, categorical,
absolute, unqualified, unambiguous, unmistakable or
unmistakeable, clear-cut, clear, explicit, express, decisive,
indisputable, indubitable, unquestionable, unquestioned,
incontestable, uncontested, undeniable, reliable, persuasive,
convincing, irrefutable: The police have positive evidence that
the men are innocent of any crime. Spending this evening with
you has been a positive delight. 2 definitive, emphatic,
decided, forceful, firm, peremptory, definite: He gave a
positive denial when asked if he had agreed to let the hostages
go. She made a positive commitment to meet me here at noon. 3
sure, certain, confident, convinced, satisfied: Are you
positive that the last train is at midnight? 4 beneficial,
favourable, complimentary, productive, useful: I heard many
positive things about the way she handled herself at the
interview. 5 overconfident, dogmatic, doctrinaire, pontifical,
opinionated, pigheaded, stubborn, obstinate, obdurate,
arbitrary, overweening, arrogant, assertive, dictatorial,
despotic, imperious, Rare thetic(al): His problem is that he is
quite positive about things that simply are not so. 6 practical,
realistic, utilitarian, productive, functional, pragmatic(al),
realistic, matter-of-fact, Colloq hard-nosed: They have taken a
positive approach to studying the economics of small businesses.
7 encouraging, supportive, constructive, reassuring,
enthusiastic, favourable, affirmative, yes, confirming: Our
plan to buy out the company has received a positive reaction
from our bankers. Asked if they would buy our product,
businessmen gave a positive response. 8 auspicious, promising,
propitious, encouraging; optimistic, favourable, cheerful,
confident; Colloq bullish, upbeat: In the long run, the picture
for home-owners looks positive. It pays to maintain a positive
outlook and not get depressed. 9 complete, utter, total,
perfect, out-and-out, consummate, unmitigated, thorough,