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
Trump was propelled to a win in the 2024 election because Americans had pessimistic views about the economy.
—
Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
However, investor sentiment often reflects policy expectations, with current optimism centered around potential tax cuts (or at least not increases) and deregulation, while the threat of tariffs and trade wars casts a pessimistic shadow.
—John Buckingham, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Many companies, pessimistic about the economy, are reluctant to borrow.
—Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
China remains the second biggest market outside of North America, and there were two Hollywood titles in the Top 10 in 2024 — Godzilla x Kong and Alien: Romulus (contrary to 2023 which had none) — but folks are pessimistic that Hollywood will ever return to the heyday of 2012-2019 there.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pessimistic 
Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 19 Jan. 2025
However, investor sentiment often reflects policy expectations, with current optimism centered around potential tax cuts (or at least not increases) and deregulation, while the threat of tariffs and trade wars casts a pessimistic shadow.
—John Buckingham, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
Many companies, pessimistic about the economy, are reluctant to borrow.
—Keith Bradsher, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
China remains the second biggest market outside of North America, and there were two Hollywood titles in the Top 10 in 2024 — Godzilla x Kong and Alien: Romulus (contrary to 2023 which had none) — but folks are pessimistic that Hollywood will ever return to the heyday of 2012-2019 there.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
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Go Down Together: The True, Untold Story of Bonnie and Clyde By Jeff Guinn The Half Life of Valery K, by Natasha Pulley From its first pages, The Half Life of Valery K gets to the core of what humans facing a seemingly hopeless situation must do to carry on.—
Vanessa Armstrong,
The Atlantic,
10 Jan. 2025
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Similarly, Eden wondered if finishing a half-Ironman just months after giving birth was hopeless.—
Matt Fuchs,
TIME,
2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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The cynical reactions only proved that these two young men, who have made millions as bro influencers with brand empires before age 30, are still adept at courting attention.—
Miles Klee,
Rolling Stone,
28 Jan. 2025
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After all, dance pop’s supposedly liberating power has often been hijacked over the years for cynical ends, such as Target commercials and Katy Perry albums.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
28 Jan. 2025
Adjective
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That may only trigger the negative tipping processes.—
Andy Extance,
Scientific American,
23 Jan. 2025
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Nearby residents have endured years of negative health impacts, including higher-than-average rates of lung cancer in the surrounding county, polluted air, and environmental degradation — all while thousands of tons of trash is trucked in and piled on to the mountain of garbage each day.—
Ryan Castalia,
New York Daily News,
23 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pessimistic
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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