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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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 University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index, also released Friday, showed greater pessimism about the economy this month, likely driven by stubbornly high prices. — CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026 This pessimism is understandable—but significantly overstated. — Kurt M. Campbell, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026 And that pessimism creates a barrier that keeps us from reaching out more often. — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026 His prose radiates an ecstatic pessimism, as if lit up from within by the relief of not having to sugarcoat things with comforting lies. — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pessimism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism

Noun

And since Bob hasn’t managed to elevate his station in the last 26 years, suffering the indignity of dealing with a much younger boss (Blake Anderson), his desperation is understandable.

— Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2026
But their primitive way of living reveals itself to rather more devastating effect when their third child is born, and Inger commits an act of unthinkable desperation.

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

Postpartum depression can be anxiousness or sadness, tearfulness, difficulty sleeping.

— Donna Vickroy, Chicago Tribune, 18 Sep. 2026
The sadness comes from reflecting on how those founders used their newly independent government and military might against Indigenous people.

— Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

Churches are supposed to be off-limits for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, but that has meant little to a community that often turns to God and worship in times of despair.

— Lauren Costantino September 19, Miami Herald, 19 Sep. 2026
What follows is an escalation of death and despair for all parties involved.

— Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of despair

Noun

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack in separate statements and expressed sorrow over the deaths.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
In direct contradiction to Herzog, Zamir’s office stated that Azaria had never expressed sorrow or remorse about the killing.

— Oren Liebermann, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

The gloom lifts in one crucial scene, late in the film, in which Sandra and April sit side by side before a bright window.

— Natalia Winkelman, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026
Inside, we were whisked away to a world of rain and candles and velvet and creepy houses and stormy, witchy gloom.

— Danielle Pergament, Allure, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of gloom

Noun

The work is meant to address the 3- to 6-inch-deep depression on Pocket Road, city spokesperson Carlos Eliason said.

— Madison Smalstig, Sacbee.com, 17 Sep. 2026
Perpetrators target underage girls, typically between the ages of 10 and 17 years old, often preying on minors already struggling with mental health issues such as depression and suicidal ideation, according to the FBI.

— Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of depression

Noun

On the one hand, there’s a fascination with collective joy and the forms of vernacular invention that aspire to it; on the other, there’s an underlying melancholy that points to the inevitability of isolation, an epistemology of loneliness.

— Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Beneath all the sensuality and beauty, there’s also a lingering melancholy that feels very familiar to me.

— Erik Pedersen, Oc Register, 16 June 2026

Definition of melancholy

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pessimism

pessimist

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“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 21 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of pessimism

noun

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