1
as in hopeless
emphasizing or expecting the worst
with that pessimistic attitude, it's no wonder you're depressed
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2
as in cynical
having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives
pessimistic about the prospects for a lasting peace in the area
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Recent Examples of pessimistic
This is not a pessimistic observation.
—
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
During the first two weeks after the election, the campaign encouraged voters to check their ballot status online, but supporters grew increasingly pessimistic as the count progressed.
—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Rachel Dratch brought along Debbie Downer (and her sad trombone) to impart some pessimistic words of wisdom on the graduating class of Dartmouth College.
—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
These predictions might turn out to be overly pessimistic.
—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic,
Forbes.com,
19 June 2026
During the first two weeks after the election, the campaign encouraged voters to check their ballot status online, but supporters grew increasingly pessimistic as the count progressed.
—
Daniel Lempres,
Sacbee.com,
18 June 2026
Rachel Dratch brought along Debbie Downer (and her sad trombone) to impart some pessimistic words of wisdom on the graduating class of Dartmouth College.
—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 June 2026
These predictions might turn out to be overly pessimistic.
—
Rogé Karma,
The Atlantic,
16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
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The 41-year-old Portuguese footballer managed to put two past a hopeless Uzbekistan, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cups.
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The conflict feels contemporary without growing too cynical, and the core relationship stakes seem real without skewing hopeless.
Adjective
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Traditionally cynical and perceptive commentators—not to mention a lot of tired citizens—found themselves, in some accounts, overcome by an unexpected wave of patriotic sentimentality that washed away, at least for a moment, their gnawing doubts.
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Heston is at his most gleefully cynical as Robert Thorn, a police detective who lives and works in a New York City decimated by environmental deterioration and dwindling resources.
Adjective
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The powder, sourced from California Dairies and supplied by a third party, tested negative for salmonella before the company used it in the chips.
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Apple, for instance, dropped 5% on April 8, its fourth-straight negative day.
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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