pessimism

noun

pes·​si·​mism ˈpe-sə-ˌmi-zəm How to pronounce pessimism (audio)
 also  ˈpe-zə-
1
: an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome
2
a
: the doctrine that reality is essentially evil
b
: the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life

Examples of pessimism in a Sentence

Although the economy shows signs of improving, a sense of pessimism remains.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But what is lacking to drive the pessimism back into optimism and real results? David T. Nudelman, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 The pessimism around the prospects of Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton are not without foundation. Michael Walker, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024 The mood of economic pessimism within the electorate has prompted both Trump and Harris to roll out a slate of policy proposals that promise a new economic future for Americans. Rebecca Picciotto,annie Nova, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2024 This may be part of the games’ broader appeal: in a time of widespread anxiety and pessimism, a grand vision of how to find meaning in the end of things, how to accept it without accepting your own defeat, might make more sense than another blithe rendition of saving the world. Gabriel Winslow-Yost, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pessimism 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French pessimisme, from Latin pessimus "worst" + French -isme -ism, formed by analogy with optimisme optimism; Latin pessimus, probably going back to *pedisamos, derivative (with -isamos, superlative suffix, going back to Italic & Celtic *-ism̥mos) of *ped-, extracted from *ped-tu- "a fall, falling" (whence Latin pessum "to the bottom, to destruction"), verbal noun from an Indo-European base *ped- "step, fall," whence, with varying ablaut grades, Old English gefetan "to fall," Old Church Slavic padǫ, pasti, Sanskrit padyate "(s/he) falls, perishes"

Note: The Indo-European verbal base *ped- is generally taken to be a derivative of the noun *pōd-, ped- "foot"; see foot entry 1.

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pessimism was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near pessimism

Cite this Entry

“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pessimism. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pessimism

noun
pes·​si·​mism ˈpes-ə-ˌmiz-əm How to pronounce pessimism (audio)
1
: a tending to expect the worst possible outcome
2
: a belief that evil is more common than good in life
pessimist noun

Medical Definition

pessimism

noun
pes·​si·​mism
ˈpes-ə-ˌmiz-əm also ˈpez-
: an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome
pessimistic
ˌpes-ə-ˈmis-tik also ˌpez-
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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