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.

---

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

---

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

If debate now mirrors this public caution, that may be less a sign of unhealthy pessimism than of public prudence shaped by experience.

From The Wall Street Journal

Even when users try to escape this vortex of pessimism, they'll struggle.

From BBC

Despite occasional blips of good news, growth always seems to be softer than hoped and inflation more persistent, and a dangerous pessimism is taking root.

From The Wall Street Journal

“While a major escalation isn’t priced in, overall expectations have been reset by the extended sideways move. If tensions calm, there’s enough pessimism on the sidelines that the market could return to the positive.”

From Barron's

To some, the pessimism surrounding Microsoft’s stock has gotten out of control.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

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