as in desperation
a feeling or belief that bad things will happen in the future; a feeling or belief that what you hope for will not happen
She has expressed pessimism over the outcome of the trial. Although the economy shows signs of improving, a sense of pessimism remains. He expressed his pessimism about politics and politicians.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of pessimism
The first shows affordability as Maryland’s top issue; the second reveals growing pessimism about the state’s direction.
—
Randy Altschuler, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2026
Democratic strategist Nina Smith, who worked on Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, given the pessimism about the war and the economy, the party must actively engage voters in every corner of the country.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2026
The only real variation is in the degree of that pessimism.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Remember Gavin Newsom's pessimism?
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Randy Altschuler, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2026
Democratic strategist Nina Smith, who worked on Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, given the pessimism about the war and the economy, the party must actively engage voters in every corner of the country.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2026
The only real variation is in the degree of that pessimism.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Remember Gavin Newsom's pessimism?
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
-
Shifting gears confidently into the second half of the season, this week’s episode has a more cohesive feel than the show has been able to manage so far, turning a series of interrelated crises into a Magnolia-esque montage of desperation from most of the major characters.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
3 May 2026
-
But Nelson and other advocates say companies like these aren’t offering a real solution, but are taking advantage of tenants’ desperation.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s both comfort in finding myself in that child’s face, and also sadness.—
Benny Peterson,
Vogue,
4 May 2026
-
Amid the sadness and uncertainty, though, one moment captured the aviation community rallying around its own.—
Emma Tucker,
CNN Money,
3 May 2026
Noun
-
The play charts his despair and hope, as well as his unlikely romance with a prison volunteer (Tessa Thompson).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
-
Denials, appeals and habeas corpus Juan and Donovan’s emotions swing wildly between hope and despair, depending on the day.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Unique is meant to embody that racial trauma, but Moore doesn’t possess the grit necessary to make the pain and sorrow resonate.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2026
-
The reader feels the moment’s vitality and presence, and the sorrow at its loss, but not because Ford insists on it.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Hope springs eternal in Mamdaniland Despite all the doom and gloom in Mets Nation right now, there are still 140 games left to play in the regular season, a point Mamdani emphasized on Tuesday.—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
-
And Sahm told Fortune the gloom isn’t just about this spring.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The accident also caused other issues, including her short-term memory and balance, and led to a bout of depression.—
Taijuan Moorman,
USA Today,
1 May 2026
-
Black people experience higher levels of early-life post-traumatic stress than white people and are more likely to suffer from chronic depression later in life.—
Jerel Ezell,
STAT,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
His contributions have been met with some cynicism.—
Sophie Austin,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
In the face of oppression and cynicism, kindness and joy are revolutionary acts.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
His reputation, as captured by obituaries in the Guardian and the Times of London, is one of genteel melancholy and precise social observation.—
Charlie Tyson,
Harpers Magazine,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Still, the achievement carried a touch of melancholy for Lovell.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 7 May. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
