pessimistic

[pes-uh-mis-tik]

adjective

1. pertaining to or characterized by pessimism or the tendency to expect only bad outcomes; gloomy; joyless; unhopeful.

   His pessimistic outlook kept him from applying for jobs for which he was perfectly qualified.

   Synonyms: hopeless, despairing

Other Word Forms

• pessimistically adverb
• nonpessimistic adjective
• nonpessimistically adverb
• overpessimistic adjective
• overpessimistically adverb
• unpessimistic adjective
• unpessimistically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimistic¹

First recorded in 1865–70; pessimist + -ic

Synonym Study

See cynical.

Example Sentences

Once again, Wall Street appears too pessimistic about the business.

Read more on Barron's

“Consumers were notably more pessimistic about business conditions six months from now,” said Dana Peterson, chief economist of the private organization that produces the report.

Read more on MarketWatch

Is there anything that could change the pessimistic mood?

Read more on Barron's

Is there anything that could change the pessimistic mood?

Read more on Barron's

Expectations are low, with a sense that the most pessimistic scenarios are more than priced in.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• bleak 
• depressed 
• despondent 
• discouraged 
• fatalistic 
• gloomy 
• glum 
• sad