pessimism

American  

[pes-uh-miz-uhm] / ˈpɛs əˌmɪz əm /

noun

1. the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc..

   His pessimism about the future of our country depresses me.

2. the doctrine that the existing world is the worst of all possible worlds, or that all things naturally tend to evil.

3. the belief that the evil and pain in the world are not compensated for by goodness and happiness.

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pessimism British  

/ ˈpɛsɪˌmɪzəm /

noun

1. the tendency to expect the worst and see the worst in all things

2. the doctrine of the ultimate triumph of evil over good

3. the doctrine that this world is corrupt and that man's sojourn in it is a preparation for some other existence

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Other Word Forms

• overpessimism noun
• pessimist noun
• pessimistic adjective
• pessimistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of pessimism

First recorded in 1785–95; from Latin pessim(us) “worst” (suppletive superlative of malus “bad”) + -ism; modeled on optimism ( def. )

Example Sentences

March’s nearly 10% decline pushed sentiment to extreme pessimism.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

The European Commission’s Economic Sentiment Indicator fell to 96.6 in March, reflecting increased eurozone pessimism amid the war in Iran.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

But some investors think the pessimism is overdone.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 30, 2026

Against the backdrop of broader software pessimism, one corner of the sector is shaping up to be not merely a survivor of the artificial-intelligence revolution but also a major beneficiary of it.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 14, 2026

I felt an acute pessimism at the back of my throat when they were together.

From "The Marrow Thieves" by Cherie Dimaline

Related Words

• cynicism
• despair
• distrust
• gloom
• grief
• hopelessness
• melancholy
• sadness
• unhappiness