pessimism

[ pes-uh-miz-uhm ]

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

/ 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

Derived Forms

• ˌpessiˈmistic, adjective
• ˈpessimist, noun
• ˌpessiˈmistically, adverb

Other Words From

• over·pessi·mism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimism¹

First recorded in 1785–95; from Latin pessim(us) “worst” (suppletive superlative of malus “bad”) + -ism; modeled on optimism ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimism¹

C18: from Latin pessimus worst, from malus bad

Example Sentences

It confounds an idea that the nation’s biggest cities, with their prosperity, opportunity, diversity, social tolerance, public services, and community institutions, are immune to the alienation and pessimism that Trump galvanized in “left-behind” rural areas eight years ago.

From Slate

Remarkably, they persisted, and did not resign themselves to nihilism or pessimism.

From Salon

"Early Black liberals rejected pessimism and apathy. Studying their resolve can show us what it looks like to have hope in the face of setbacks and to relentlessly bear witness to the plight of the most vulnerable."

From Salon

Ultimately, early Black liberals rejected pessimism and apathy.

From Salon

The mood among Democratic supporters soon swung from anxious pessimism to excited anticipation.

From BBC

Related Words

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