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

Not everyone on Wall Street is as pessimistic about the future of the sports-betting companies.

Read more on MarketWatch

Consumers indeed felt a little more pessimistic about the general economic situation for the year ahead, the survey showed.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Consumers feel pessimistic, worried about the job market and inflation.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

This week, China's Cyberspace Administration launched a two-month campaign to curb social media posts that "excessively exaggerate negative and pessimistic sentiments".

Read more on BBC

Tackling a pessimistic public mood also requires more than policies.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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