pessimism

[pes-uh-miz-uhm]

noun

1. the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc..

   His pessimism about the future of our country depresses me.

2. the doctrine that the existing world is the worst of all possible worlds, or that all things naturally tend to evil.

3. the belief that the evil and pain in the world are not compensated for by goodness and happiness.

pessimism

/ ˈpɛsɪˌmɪzəm /

noun

1. the tendency to expect the worst and see the worst in all things

2. the doctrine of the ultimate triumph of evil over good

3. the doctrine that this world is corrupt and that man's sojourn in it is a preparation for some other existence

Other Word Forms

• pessimistic adjective
• pessimist noun
• pessimistically adverb
• overpessimism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimism¹

First recorded in 1785–95; from Latin pessim(us) “worst” (suppletive superlative of malus “bad”) + -ism; modeled on optimism ( def. )

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimism¹

C18: from Latin pessimus worst, from malus bad

Example Sentences

Despite widespread pessimism about the country's financial health, at the moment voters beyond the ranks of the party's existing supporters are less willing to trust the party on economy than they are on immigration.

From BBC

The pessimism marks a shift in tone from as recently as June's G7 meeting, when the two leaders set themselves the summer deadline.

From BBC

He’s also invested his protagonist with a self-deprecating sense of humor that keeps his pessimism from veering into maudlin territory.

From Los Angeles Times

When I'm chatting with people on social media, I find the Supreme Court situation is the source of almost nihilistic pessimism.

From Salon

The economic upheaval over the past five years is a major reason for the pessimism many feel today.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cynicism 
• despair 
• distrust 
• gloom 
• grief 
• hopelessness 
• melancholy 
• sadness 
• unhappiness www.thesaurus.com