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
Notably, Democrats are particularly pessimistic about the future of their own party, while Republicans are riding high.
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Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
That tracks with longstanding findings that the generation is pessimistic about the right now but upbeat about the future.
—Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024
The economy was the top issue for voters in November's election, with polling consistently finding that voters were pessimistic about its state.
—Khaleda Rahman, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Speaking in a press conference before Leverkusen’s Bundesliga game against Heidenheim this weekend, head coach Xabi Alonso was pessimistic about his forwards chances of returned before the end of 2024.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pessimistic 
Nathaniel Rakich, ABC News, 5 Dec. 2024
That tracks with longstanding findings that the generation is pessimistic about the right now but upbeat about the future.
—Ben Berkowitz, Axios, 3 Dec. 2024
The economy was the top issue for voters in November's election, with polling consistently finding that voters were pessimistic about its state.
—Khaleda Rahman, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024
Speaking in a press conference before Leverkusen’s Bundesliga game against Heidenheim this weekend, head coach Xabi Alonso was pessimistic about his forwards chances of returned before the end of 2024.
—Sebastian Stafford-Bloor, The Athletic, 22 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
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That doesn’t mean Trump's opponents are facing a hopeless task.Gunther Peck / Made by History, TIME, 12 Dec. 2024
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As Queenie, navigating empty relationships and professional disappointments on a journey from self-sabotage to self-worth, Brown makes a whole person from a variety of attitudes — hopeful, hopeless, hungover, exuberant, fretful, thoughtful.Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 3 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Mufasa: The Lion King, from the Moonlight director, doesn’t transcend its cynical origins as a Disney product.Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2024
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Later, Hattie hugs a more cynical Turner, which enables him to forge a fraternal bond with Elwood, their friendship a turning point.Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Lively’s filing includes texts and emails between Baldoni and his PR team detailing their online strategy to damage Lively’s reputation, inflaming the negative narratives about Lively that were beginning to brew online.Dani Di Placido, Forbes, 24 Dec. 2024
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Paris Saint-Germain refused to allow Pochettino to depart, Antonio Conte decided Tottenham were not the right fit, talks with Paulo Fonseca fell down and links with Gennaro Gattuso prompted a negative response among fans.Paul Taylor, The Athletic, 24 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near pessimistic
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.
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