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View synonyms for pessimistic

pessimistic

[ pes-uh-mis-tik ]

adjective

  1. pertaining to or characterized by pessimism or the tendency to expect only bad outcomes; gloomy; joyless; unhopeful:

    His pessimistic outlook kept him from applying for jobs for which he was perfectly qualified.

    Synonyms: hopeless, despairing



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Other Words From

  • pessi·misti·cal·ly adverb
  • nonpes·si·mistic adjective
  • nonpes·si·misti·cal·ly adverb
  • over·pessi·mistic adjective
  • over·pessi·misti·cal·ly adverb
  • unpes·si·mistic adjective
  • unpes·si·misti·cal·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimistic1

First recorded in 1865–70; pessimist + -ic
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Synonym Study

See cynical.
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Example Sentences

Three years after the first series aired, Hwang is even more pessimistic about the state of the world.

From BBC

There are increasingly a lot of nerves in the room, with some saying privately they’re feeling “very pessimistic”.

From BBC

I am very pessimistic about the prospects of de-escalation… most likely the perception within the Israel Defence Forces and at the political level within Netanayhu's war cabinet is that they have the momentum.

From BBC

The first, a survey of Chinese attitudes towards the economy, found that people were growing pessimistic and disillusioned about their prospects.

From BBC

With the presidential election more than a month away — still weeks of heated rhetoric ahead — some Springfield residents sound pessimistic about the prospects of returning to normal any time soon.

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