PESSIMISM Synonyms: 76 Similar and Opposite Words

pessimism

noun

Definition of pessimism

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.

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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 Allan Bailey, 83, a Republican who also served in Vietnam and later owned a motel, voiced similar pessimism. — ABC News, 2 July 2026 With many families increasingly financially pinched, some are turning to credit cards and other forms of debt to cover daily expenses, which could also contribute to their pessimism about the economy, Hanks said. — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 30 June 2026 And growing fears over diminishing job security in white-collar fields once thought of as safe are a key driver behind Americans’ growing pessimism about the economy. — D. Brian Blank, The Conversation, 29 June 2026 Even as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence − a celebration of the founding of the world's oldest modern constitutional democracy − most Americans are mired in dissatisfaction with the nation's present and pessimism about its future. — Susan Page, USA Today, 22 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for pessimism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism

Noun

Many anecdotes are from people who tried more conventional medicine for digestive issues and, from a place of desperation, decided to look elsewhere for solutions.

— Shelby Hartman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
Moreover, the series unpacks the heartwrenching realities of social inequity and how desperation can transform into shocking acts of violence.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 July 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

The girls spend the day together — Laura has made an entire treasure hunt to celebrate Good Eagle’s birthday — and while there are moments of joy, there’s a lot of sadness weighing down on their tiny shoulders, too.

— Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed his sadness over the recent deaths in the country’s south.

— Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 10 July 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

Detainees had little access to recreational activities and time outside, which mental health experts say exacerbates their despair.

— Perla Trevizo, ProPublica, 3 July 2026
Whether the episode amounted to anything beyond hearsay amid the ubiquitous sense of mass confusion and despair remains a question mark.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

Definition of despair

Noun

The clouds begin to part The clouds of grief and sorrow that had enveloped Gounder with the approach of the World Cup were dispersed by the bright orange sun of a New York Knicks championship, the team’s first in 53 years.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026
From shabby apartments to art experiments to filthy needles—with echoes of Patti Smith and Rebecca Makkai—Adler conjures an era of sorrow borne by too many, too young.

— Hamilton Cain, Time, 7 July 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

The broader mood tracks right alongside, with 40% expecting AI to be bad for society over the next twenty years against 16% who expect good, the gloom running deepest among adults under 30, and 63% saying the whole thing is moving too fast.

— Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026
The partying turned to gloom after the temblors.

— Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026

Definition of gloom

Noun

That occurs along a very typical-looking site that has a roughly 2,000 meter depression at the location of spreading, flanked by a series of rugged ridges.

— John Timmer, ArsTechnica, 8 July 2026
In 2019, the agency approved Johnson & Johnson’s Spravato, an esketamine nasal spray, for treatment-resistant depression in adults (it was later OK’d as a standalone depression treatment).

— Lizzy Lawrence, STAT, 8 July 2026

Definition of depression

Noun

This cynicism was a common thread in the reviews with entertainment journalists noting that the remake was released soon after the original in order to squeeze yet more money out of the movie which had already spawned a successful sequel in 2024.

— Caroline Reid, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026
Patriotism rooted in one or the other can curdle into cynicism or nihilism when confronted with evidence that confounds them.

— Mark Brilliant, Mercury News, 9 July 2026

Definition of cynicism

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pessimism

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“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 16 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of pessimism

noun

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