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

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

From Salon

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

From BBC

But despite his current pessimism about the viability of becoming a biological parent, Kari says he "wouldn't write it off".

From BBC

Over the past few years, the housing downturn, record youth unemployment and layoffs in tech and other industries have compounded economic pessimism.

From Los Angeles Times

He has no time for British pessimism, falling back on a New Zealand "she'll be right" mantra.

From BBC

Related Words

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