bearish

[ bair-ish ]

adjective

1. like a bear; rough, burly, or clumsy.
2. Informal. grumpy, bad-mannered, or rude.
3. Commerce.
   1. declining or tending toward a decline in prices.
   2. characterized by or reflecting unfavorable prospects for the economy or some aspect of it:

      a bearish market.

bearish

/ ˈbɛərɪʃ /

adjective

1. like a bear; rough; clumsy; churlish
2. stock exchange causing, expecting, or characterized by a fall in prices

   a bearish market

Derived Forms

• ˈbearishly, adverb
• ˈbearishness, noun

Other Words From

• bearish·ly adverb
• bearish·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bearish¹

First recorded in 1735–45; bear ² + -ish ¹

Example Sentences

The authenticity of his casting, including his unwavering belief in newcomers, is flawless here, with Mari’s portrait of resilience sharing the frame wonderfully with Turner’s bearish, wounded air.

From Los Angeles Times

Sales also fell short of even the most bearish Wall Street expectations.

From Seattle Times

“The economy is primarily supported by consumers who have shown much greater resilience than expected, and it’s hard to be bearish on the consumer,” the federation’s chief economist, Jack Kleinhenz, said.

From Seattle Times

The underlying realities do not justify the bearish mood that former President Donald Trump feeds and then feeds off of.

From Seattle Times

Beijing has censored and tried to intimidate renowned economists, financial analysts, investment banks and social media influencers for bearish assessments of the economy and the government’s policies.

From New York Times

Related Words

• coarse
• cruel
• hard
• harsh
• nasty
• raw
• tough
• unpleasant
• unpolished
• violent