pessimist

noun

pes·​si·​mist ˈpe-sə-mist 

 also  ˈpe-zə-

plural pessimists

: a person who is inclined to expect poor outcomes : someone who is given to pessimism

… such was the success of the first venture that many must now be optimistic where most were pessimists at the beginning of the year and for several years before.

—Francis Byrne

For pessimists, the heavens offer a host of doomsday scenarios—an asteroid crashing into Earth or deadly cosmic rays raining down on the planet.

—R. Cowen

Synonyms

• defeatist

Examples of pessimist in a Sentence

she's such a pessimist that she's convinced she'll fail every test

a true pessimist, he's convinced that there will be wars as long as there are people to wage them

Recent Examples on the Web

In his life, there is one thread that binds all chapters: Thor’s electrifying positivity that vexes all pessimists and his inherent ability to connect with others. —Tyler Shepherd, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2025

This will be used as a proof point by both venture capital optimists and pessimists, as industry sentiment gets increasingly bifurcated. —Dan Primack, Axios, 27 Feb. 2025

So far, all signs indicate that the pessimists were right. —Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2025

Studies show that optimists, compared to pessimists, have lower stress levels, move faster up the career ladder, have fewer health complaints and live longer. —Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

pessim(ism) + -ist entry 1, after French pessimiste

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above