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
Trump had previously discouraged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from taking military action against Iran amid the talks, though the U.S. leader has also in recent days signaled growing pessimism toward the outcome of the negotiations.
—
Anna Commander
tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
However, the current pessimism surrounding the stock appears overdone, possibly presenting a compelling valuation even as many stocks, net of the S & P 500′s rally this past week to new all-time highs, are beginning to look stretched.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Your objective is to reframe the pessimism and inspire hope.
—Brent Dykes, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
However, consumers' pessimism, persistently weak new orders in manufacturing, a second consecutive month of rising initial claims for unemployment insurance, and a decline in housing permits weighed on the Index, leading to May's overall decline.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Anna Commander
tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 June 2025
However, the current pessimism surrounding the stock appears overdone, possibly presenting a compelling valuation even as many stocks, net of the S & P 500′s rally this past week to new all-time highs, are beginning to look stretched.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Your objective is to reframe the pessimism and inspire hope.
—Brent Dykes, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
However, consumers' pessimism, persistently weak new orders in manufacturing, a second consecutive month of rising initial claims for unemployment insurance, and a decline in housing permits weighed on the Index, leading to May's overall decline.
—Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
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But the obvious calculation behind this move illustrated the desperation of so many anonymous black showbiz performers (such as those who were paid to promote the Kamala Harris campaign) who eagerly demonstrate an unshakeable loyalty to the post-FDR legacy of Democratic Party devotion.—
Armond White,
National Review,
25 July 2025
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Advertisement Still, that so many Democrats spent the weekend obsessing over a relatively unknown figure in Austin, who represents about 200,000 people in a deep-blue district, shows the extent of their desperation.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
21 July 2025
Noun
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Joe’s despair reminded me of a conversation my colleague Charlie Warzel had with the writer and technology theorist L. M. Sacasas in 2022.—
Shirley Li,
The Atlantic,
18 July 2025
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What kind of despair would people feel upon the discovery that their source of joy, belonging, and meaning was a farce?—
Paul Bloom,
New Yorker,
14 July 2025
Noun
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July always arrives with a blend of sunshine and sorrow for me.—
Belal Aftab,
Mercury News,
13 July 2025
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Having had time to process all she’s gone through over the last few years, Edwards has channeled her grief into the new album (out now), which sees the musician navigating her pain while trying to find beauty in her sorrow.—
Rachel DeSantis,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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Set in Taiwan in 1988, the intergenerational drama revolves around Hsiao-lee, a quiet and withdrawn girl, growing up in silent gloom.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
23 July 2025
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Barely discernible in the May gloom, a glint of purple shone from the jacaranda’s canopy; nearby, seed pods dotted patches of green.—
Malia Mendez,
Los Angeles Times,
24 June 2025
Noun
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The National Hurricane Center continued Friday to track a low pressure system in the Gulf and said in its 8 p.m. advisory that development into the season’s next tropical depression or storm is no longer expected.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 July 2025
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Research has shown that women who have higher anxiety and depression often show signs of inflammation and elevated stress hormones, which can lead to poorer outcomes.—
Michelle Marchante
July 25,
Miami Herald,
25 July 2025
Noun
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That’s a cultural moment of cynicism and change where institutions and icons are being questioned.—
Ari Daniel,
Smithsonian Magazine,
10 July 2025
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An early scene between Lois and Clark beautifully sets up the conflict in their relationship between his positivity and sunny outlook for the world and her downright cynicism.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
8 July 2025
Noun
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Advertisement The answering note to its prevailing ironic treatment of Sir Walter is of course the melancholy and hint of regret that suffuse much of the novel’s tone.—
Brandon Taylor,
Time,
17 July 2025
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Over a balmy, slowly dissipating summer, nothing really pushes or pulls our aimless hero in either direction, and in this state of happy stagnation, melancholy becomes a comfort blanket.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
9 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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