mindset
noun
mind·set
ˈmīn(d)-ˌset 
variants
or less commonly mind-set
plural mindsets also mind-sets
1
: a mental attitude or inclination
politicians trying to determine the mindset of voters
It isn't only the freshness of the fruit that makes breakfast in California restaurants outstanding. It's an attitude, a morning mindset, a desire to start the day in a leisurely, luxurious manner.—
Jane and Michael Stern
Jane and Michael Stern2
: a fixed state of mind
His mind-set does not allow for new situations.
The German military thought they were being honorable, and this wasn't an excuse—this was their complete mindset.—William Vollman
William VollmanExamples of mindset in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Butler was open to signing such a deal early in the negotiating window, but his mind-set changed when the extension wasn’t immediately offered by the Heat.
—Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2025
Cormac, Minnesota A different mind-set For me, 2025 will be very different.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
That was certainly his mind-set on the field.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
The key is setting a goal that’s the right size, said Karin Nordin, a mind-set and behavior change expert.
—Anna Maltby, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Assad did not have the mind-set, did not have the plan, did not have the resources to make things better, including for his constituency.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
The couple tried to put themselves in the mind-set of someone who panicked at the sight of a bear at the door, and concluded that, even if rattled, Tobey might have made other choices.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
There have been studies that prove just how important our seasonal mind-sets are.
—Cecilia Blomdahl, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
The survey results showed that people who have a more positive wintertime mind-set also tend to be happier overall!
—Cecilia Blomdahl, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2025
Cormac, Minnesota A different mind-set For me, 2025 will be very different.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 9 Jan. 2025
That was certainly his mind-set on the field.
—Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 5 Jan. 2025
The key is setting a goal that’s the right size, said Karin Nordin, a mind-set and behavior change expert.
—Anna Maltby, New York Times, 1 Jan. 2025
Assad did not have the mind-set, did not have the plan, did not have the resources to make things better, including for his constituency.
—Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 9 Dec. 2024
The couple tried to put themselves in the mind-set of someone who panicked at the sight of a bear at the door, and concluded that, even if rattled, Tobey might have made other choices.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 25 Nov. 2024
There have been studies that prove just how important our seasonal mind-sets are.
—Cecilia Blomdahl, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
The survey results showed that people who have a more positive wintertime mind-set also tend to be happier overall!
—Cecilia Blomdahl, Smithsonian Magazine, 17 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Mindset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mindset. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
mindset
noun
mind·set
variants
also mind-set
: a mental inclination, tendency, or habit
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share