pessimize

[pes-uh-mahyz]

verb (used with object)

pessimized, pessimizing 

1. to make less good, efficient, fast, functional, etc., especially in the context of computers or information technology.

   Optimizing components in isolation tends to pessimize the whole system—and hence the bottom line. Adding this feature pessimized the run time by 13 percent.

verb (used without object)

pessimized, pessimizing 

1. to be pessimistic or utter pessimistic views about something.

   He pessimized loud and long over alleged rising crime rates.

Other Word Forms

• pessimization noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimize¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from Latin pessim(um) “worst” + -ize ( def. ), modeled on optimize ( def. )

Example Sentences

These words are    the obvious Latin-based antonyms for `optimal' and `optimize',    but for some reason they do not appear in most English    dictionaries, although `pessimize' is listed in the OED. :pessimizing compiler: /pes'*-mi:z`ing k*m-pi:l'r/ /n./

Read more on Project Gutenberg

These words are the obvious Latin-based antonyms for `optimal' and `optimize', but for some reason they do not appear in most English dictionaries, although `pessimize' is listed in the OED.

Read more on Project Gutenberg