pessimism

[ pes-uh-miz-uhm ]

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.

pessimism

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌpessiˈmistically, adverb
• ˈpessimist, noun
• ˌpessiˈmistic, adjective

Other Words From

• over·pessi·mism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimism¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimism¹

C18: from Latin pessimus worst, from malus bad

Example Sentences

This pessimism persisted, thanks in part to the continual warnings by experts and many in government that terrorist networks were growing, along with the chances of another attack.

From Washington Post

Worldwide economic pessimism brought on by concerns over the delta variant is sending large amounts of capital to the sidelines.

From Washington Post

I honestly don’t know what to believe, but the tension builds in my mind every day as I try to survive pessimism.

From Washington Blade

As I answered his questions, at times tinged with irony, anguish enveloped my head in a balloon of pessimism and nerves.

From Washington Blade

Economic historian Robert Gordon calls himself “the prophet of pessimism.”

From MIT Technology Review

In reality,” Francis said, “theatrical severity and sterile pessimism are often symptoms of fear and insecurity.

From The Daily Beast

My pessimism leads me to fight harder, or try to understand how I can do it differently.

From The Daily Beast

Indeed, in some surveys pessimism about the next generation stands at an all-time high.

From The Daily Beast

This pessimism—for all the discussion on campuses about “white privilege”—is even more deeply seated among young whites.

From The Daily Beast

This pessimism is particularly intense among white working class voters, and large sections of the middle class.

From The Daily Beast

Which simple sentence contains more wisdom than all the pessimism of the King of kings.

From Project Gutenberg

The disease of pessimism springs never from real troubles, which it braces men to bear, which it delights men to bear well.

From Project Gutenberg

If a fervent desire to help Man, instead of wasting time in prayer to "God," is pessimism, I am a pessimist.

From Project Gutenberg

Is the use of a danger signal at a hazardous crossing, for the purpose of preventing disaster, pessimism?

From Project Gutenberg

Though his pessimism be in great part born of his climate, it has had a very real effect upon his statecraft.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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