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pessimism

pessimism

28 4.6
A way of thinking that expects bad things to happen
  • noun
  • /ˈpɛsɪˌmɪzəm/
translation icon : pesimismo
  • Why can't I meet anyone who shares my pessimism?
  • pessimism and optimism
  • degree of pessimism
  • pessimism scale

We all see this level of pessimism that exists across our country.

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Examples

  • So far, the results are uneven, with reason for both optimism and pessimism.

    Academic text (2008)
  • So when real gross domestic private investment growth goes negative, it's usually a sign of pessimism by businesses and households.

  • We all see this level of pessimism that exists across our country.

  • So, you know, I feel like I need to talk to someone who, who can maybe help me, help me through my pessimism about the future.

  • Frankly, I don't share any of your sense of pessimism or alarm.

  • But amid all the pessimism, one voice rings out its faith in the future: Thorn, the world's leading light in building a new tomorrow.

  • I say this simply to inject an element of realism, not pessimism into our conversation.

  • Undoubtedly, this will unleash a wave of deep pessimism, historically unprecedented.

  • Sometimes I still feel hopeless 'cause of the waist-deep pessimism that blankets this world.

  • Many people expressed their pessimism about the future during the debate.

Synonyms

negative attitude
vspessimism
10 3.5

A way of thinking that expects bad things to happen

is the habitual expectation of worst outcomes rather than neutral appraisal
defeatism
vspessimism
3 8.4

A feeling that failure is sure to happen so people stop trying

is a broader expectation of bad outcomes rather than immediate surrender
negative outlook
vspessimism
1 4.7

A tendency to expect bad things to happen

is about seeing the worst aspect of things rather than occasional doubt
Pessi attitude
vspessimism
9.9

A negative way of thinking that expects bad things to happen

is the tendency to expect the worst rather than just feeling low
bearishness
vspessimism
6.9

A general feeling that things will turn out badly

is the general tendency to see the worst, not only future matters
bottom-dwelling attitude
vspessimism
  • Informal
8.5

A habit of always expecting the worst in situations

is the broader inclination to expect bad results rather than brief sadness

Antonyms

209 2.8

A tendency to expect good results and see the positive side of things

5 1.3

A feeling that good things will happen

How Pessimistic

despair
210 3.5
gloom
46 3.2
pessimism
28 4.6
hopefulness
5 1.3
optimism
209 2.8

Surface Forms

pessimism singular
pessimisms plural

Morphology

pessimism = pessimist (transparent) = pessim + ism

The meaning (the attitude or doctrine associated with pessimist) is directly and predictably derived from the base 'pessimist' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ism'.

Etymology

Pessimism comes from the Latin word pessimus meaning 'worst' and the part -ism meaning 'belief'. So, pessimism is the habit or belief of expecting the worst.