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
Latest in health-care tech: Doctors seeing benefits from AI, but feel pessimistic about the future of the U.S. health-care system, survey finds
Things are looking up for doctors in the U.S. – at least a little bit.
—
Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025
Consumers in particular were more pessimistic over future business conditions, which drove the decline in The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index in January.
—Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
Concerns about profits follow a series of economic reports with worrisome signals that include U.S. households becoming more pessimistic about inflation and pulling back on spending.
—Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
David Wessel, a senior fellow in economic studies at Brookings, is less pessimistic.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Annika Kim Constantino,ashley Capoot, CNBC, 25 Mar. 2025
Consumers in particular were more pessimistic over future business conditions, which drove the decline in The Conference Board’s Leading Economic Index in January.
—Vicki M. Young, Sourcing Journal, 12 Mar. 2025
Concerns about profits follow a series of economic reports with worrisome signals that include U.S. households becoming more pessimistic about inflation and pulling back on spending.
—Alex Veiga, Chicago Tribune, 4 Mar. 2025
David Wessel, a senior fellow in economic studies at Brookings, is less pessimistic.
—Mark Davis, Newsweek, 15 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
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Democracy in the United States faces a serious threat, but the case is not hopeless.—
Laura Gamboa,
Foreign Affairs,
31 Mar. 2025
-
Despite running on dirt-minded tires that are hopeless on snow and ice, these ultra-luxe restomods had no problem roaring through the powder covering the ground.—
Tim Stevens,
Robb Report,
12 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Val did something special with a typical 1980s cynical rebel/wisecracker role, giving his character a layer of big brother warmth.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
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On the movie front, Viola Davis is an endangered POTUS in G20, Tom Hardy plays a cynical detective in Havoc, and documentary subjects include the Stranger Things stage production, the Milwaukee Brewers’ 1982 season and the Disney cult classic A Goofy Movie.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
There has been quite a bit of negative activity around libraries, specifically around organized groups, introducing legislation to limit people’s access to materials in library collections.—
J.M. Banks,
Kansas City Star,
5 Apr. 2025
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Careful application and timing are important to minimize negative environmental impacts.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
5 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.
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