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
For example, studies show that the mechanisms for both optimism and pessimism lie in opposite parts of the brain, with the right hemisphere primarily driving pessimism and the left primarily driving optimism.
—
Dr. Deepika Chopra,
Flow Space,
16 June 2026
The pessimism exists for good reason, as Brazil’s journey to the World Cup was characterized by scandals off the pitch and underperformance on it.
—
Emile Nuh,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Spielberg has worked through times of national pessimism and optimism in the course of the past half century.
—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
11 June 2026
So much of the pessimism and the despair that fueled the piece has even greater purchase now.
—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Dr. Deepika Chopra,
Flow Space,
16 June 2026
The pessimism exists for good reason, as Brazil’s journey to the World Cup was characterized by scandals off the pitch and underperformance on it.
—
Emile Nuh,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Spielberg has worked through times of national pessimism and optimism in the course of the past half century.
—
Hannah Jocelyn,
New Yorker,
11 June 2026
So much of the pessimism and the despair that fueled the piece has even greater purchase now.
—
Emily Watlington,
ARTnews.com,
10 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
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Electing Talarico would be like connecting on one of those last-second, desperation, alley-oop passes in the end zone.
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This match finally picked up in the second half, reflecting the desperation each side had after losing their opening matches.
Noun
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Fear, joy, surprise, sadness, excitement.
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Exceeding expectations As a trip set mainly in concentration camps, sadness is often the top expectation.
Noun
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Rather than wallow in the despair of his wife's death, Robin decided to start Kay Days, a non-profit that pays for patients' parking on select days and during the week of his beloved wife's birthday.
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That poor driver had to listen to me sniffle in shameful despair all the way back to the city.
Noun
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But the book’s ruminative watchfulness is unsuccessfully conjugated in this overly sedate play with music, which has the feel of a song cycle, though sung by the fine cast with gorgeous, lonely sorrow.
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At times the longing feels sweet and the search like a little sorrow.
Noun
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The Los Angeles guitarist and songwriter touches on grief, rejection, and love in lo-fi shoegaze songs that package sunny melodies with comforting gloom.
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June gloom is nearly behind us, and Danielle Dorsey has a guide to 7 new rooftop restaurant and bars.
Noun
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Chronic sleep deprivation increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, depression, cognitive decline, and impaired immune function.
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American men are less likely than women to be diagnosed with depression, but four times more likely to die by suicide – a disparity that, researchers say, indicates many are suffering in silence.
Noun
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The cynicism and paranoia of the '70s are ever-present, exploring America's moral decay amid troubled times.
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Nothing breeds cynicism like fake consultation.
Noun
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Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.
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Early Years Eichenberg recounted his childhood with some melancholy.
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
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