1
as in cynic
one who emphasizes bad aspects or conditions and expects the worst
she's such a pessimist that she's convinced she'll fail every test
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misanthrope
a person who distrusts other people and believes that everything is done for selfish reasons
a true pessimist, he's convinced that there will be wars as long as there are people to wage them
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pessimist
Being an optimist or a pessimist is not enough.
—
Charlie Tyrell,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
Steel yourself; the pessimists will have gravitas.
—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
The pessimists will see the phrasing as an insult.
—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
The pessimist would say the school can't win.
—
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimist
Charlie Tyrell,
Variety,
28 Mar. 2026
Steel yourself; the pessimists will have gravitas.
—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
8 Mar. 2026
The pessimists will see the phrasing as an insult.
—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
5 Mar. 2026
The pessimist would say the school can't win.
—
CBS News,
14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimist
Noun
-
The native New Yorker has won over cynics before, his peers tell Fortune.
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Not everyone is happy about this apparently, as large portions of cynics and haters on social media are apparently ready to say auf wiedersehen to Freddy.
Noun
-
Syd, bless her, as well as Ayo Edebiri, is the cautious realist in that partnership.
-
Any realist would tell you Ukraine would fall.
Cite this Entry
“Pessimist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimist. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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