pessimist

noun

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pes·si·mist | \ ˈpe-sə-mist

also ˈpe-zə- \

plural pessimists

Definition of pessimist

: a person who is inclined to expect poor outcomes : someone who is given to pessimism … such was the success of the first venture that many must now be optimistic where most were pessimists at the beginning of the year and for several years before.— Francis Byrne For pessimists, the heavens offer a host of doomsday scenarios—an asteroid crashing into Earth or deadly cosmic rays raining down on the planet.— R. Cowen

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More About pessimist

Synonyms & Antonyms for pessimist

Synonyms

defeatist

Antonyms

Examples of pessimist in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The subsequent loss—completing a sweep that even the worst Nets pessimist wouldn’t have predicted—felt almost merciful. — Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2022 Smith often describes herself as a recovering pessimist. — Sophy Chaffee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 Jan. 2022 Mina’s an indefatigable optimist disguised as a despairing pessimist. — Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 22 Dec. 2021 The pessimist would suggest the Packers are playing with fire and that lack of dominance will catch up with them in the postseason. — Rob Reischel, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2021 One need be neither a pessimist nor a progressive, only a realist, to see that, for all our flaws and faults, the spirit of a Little Liberty is real. — Adam Gopni, The New Yorker, 3 July 2021 With just over $800 million in cash left on the balance sheet in March and a lot of debt, that situation looked somewhat precarious to a pessimist. — Simon Moore, Forbes, 3 June 2021 But my inner pessimist sees alcohol use continuing in its pandemic vein, more about coping than conviviality. — Kate Julian, The Atlantic, 1 June 2021 On paper, the pessimist in me says 8-4, but with a real opportunity, if things break well, to get to 10-2. — Josh Newman, The Salt Lake Tribune, 27 May 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pessimist.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.