pessimist
Americannoun
-
a person who habitually sees or anticipates the worst or is disposed to be gloomy.
-
an adherent of the doctrine of pessimism.
Etymology
Origin of pessimist
First recorded in 1830–40; pessim(ism) + -ist
Explanation
If the world can be divided into those who see the glass half empty and those who see the glass half full, the half-empty crew are known as pessimists––they always see the worst. The opposite of pessimist is optimist––someone who always sees thing in a positive light. Most people insist they are optimists, and when accused of pessimism suggest they're only focusing on reality. In fact, though, people who see reality as it is are called "realists."
Vocabulary lists containing pessimist
"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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Body Language: Ped, Pod ("Foot")
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Crenshaw
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She performed their single A Pessimist is Never Disappointed as an a capella encore on this year's US tour.
From BBC • Dec. 30, 2024
In this Bleep mix, Logos focuses on tactile movements and dark energies, featuring tracks from UK contemporaries like Demdike Stare and Pessimist, among others.
From The Guardian • Jul. 31, 2019
It also evokes a quip by J. Robert Oppenheimer, “The Optimist thinks this is the best of all possible worlds. The Pessimist fears it is true.”
From Salon • Sep. 16, 2018
October 12, 2010, 12:49 pm Is Your Dog a Pessimist?
From New York Times • Oct. 12, 2010
"We shall have them in time," said the Pessimist complacently, looking abroad upon the straight rows of tiny trees almost hidden by the growing crops.
From Lippincott's Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Volume 26, July 1880. by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
