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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Recent Examples of pessimism
Likewise, romantic partners must be patient with each other as well, because a fleeting depression or pessimism might be a downer for you.
—
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 Dec. 2025
The forces driving the market — optimism, pessimism, speculation — are very human.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
Some tech leaders have pushed back on the pessimism about AI stealing jobs.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
Borrowing from Reiner’s own post-divorce pessimism and depression, the film was originally meant to have a sadder, more cynical ending.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 29 Dec. 2025
The forces driving the market — optimism, pessimism, speculation — are very human.
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 26 Dec. 2025
Some tech leaders have pushed back on the pessimism about AI stealing jobs.
—Matt Egan, CNN Money, 18 Dec. 2025
Borrowing from Reiner’s own post-divorce pessimism and depression, the film was originally meant to have a sadder, more cynical ending.
—Meg Walters, Glamour, 15 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
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In desperation, Ben calls their older sister Hannah (Alexandra Daddario), despite scant contact since she got thrown out of the family home years prior.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 Nov. 2025
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Two goals down with 30 minutes left, Charlotte pushed forward with desperation but lacked precision.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Emotions were on full display with many expressing sadness and frustration, not only over Wednesday's federal raid, but raids happening around the Twin Cities over the last 40 days.—
WCCO Staff,
CBS News,
9 Jan. 2026
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The initial answer to that question is a no, according to some evangelical pastors and commentators who reacted with shock and sadness to Yancey’s confession.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Monday’s loss to the Celtics highlighted the despair in the state of the current Bulls frontcourt.—
Julia Poe,
Chicago Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
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But Wharton, unlike the characters in her novels, never seemed to give in to despair.—
Lila Shapiro,
Vulture,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Death, fear, and sorrow unify the disparate practices.—
Rivka Galchen,
New Yorker,
7 Jan. 2026
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But grief will give you so much more than sorrow.—
Lauren DePino,
CNN Money,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Why, then, the unrelenting economic gloom?—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
6 Jan. 2026
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But despite all the gloom, there are reasons for optimism.—
Wayne Winegarden,
Oc Register,
4 Jan. 2026
Noun
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And on a more basic level, gardening activities also serve to reduce anxiety, aggression and depression, and to increase cognitive function.—
The San Diego Union Tribune,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
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Feeling tired is not a typical sign of high blood pressure and is more often linked to other issues like poor sleep, depression, or low blood pressure.—
Alexandria Nyembwe,
Health,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Humor is a powerful tool in combating cynicism and burnout and in developing a vision for a better world.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Jan. 2026
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These attacks are designed to divide us, to turn us towards cynicism and selfishness.—
Natalia Aristizabal,
New York Daily News,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Coppola and production designer Ziering will explore their creative partnership, the aesthetic and emotional storytelling that defines Coppola’s visual universe — from the suburban melancholy of Palo Alto to the luminous complexity of The Last Showgirl.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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Full of dread and melancholy, the Austrian import flips the creepy-kid script a bit by centering on two boys (Elias and Lukas Schwarz) who wonder whether their mom (Susanne Wuest), whose head is wrapped in bandages after facial surgery, is actually their mom. 38.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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