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 Gallup pointed to rising clinical depression and loneliness, difficulty affording housing, fears of losing jobs to artificial intelligence and growing pessimism about the job market as possible contributors to the decline. — Alex Deluca, Washington Post, 5 Oct. 2026 Republicans have expressed growing pessimism about their chances in the election, which will determine control of Congress, as the president has repeatedly dismissed concerns about high costs and gas prices as his unpopular war in Iran drags on. — Michelle L. Price, Arkansas Online, 2 Oct. 2026 Being the unintentional voice of political pessimism can make a person something of a pessimist. — David MacK, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026 Phrasemaking is perhaps no contribution to the intellectual heritage of the race, but phrasemakers do snap us out of lethargy, and frequently out of ingrowing pessimism, which may be worse than frenzy. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for pessimism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism

Noun

But across this wolf may cry, her breathy delivery becomes so uniform that longing, frustration, and romantic desperation frequently sound indistinguishable.

— Precious Fondren, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026
Our community is dying; there’s an underlying sense of desperation, grief and pride that can both protect and suffocate out of a need to survive – this film is ultimately a love letter to us, with a sense of knowing.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

Through such simple but evocative images, Zhang creates a whole world of suspicion and sadness.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2026
Throughout, there’s a lingering sadness, which is properly explored in a superb episode made up of a trifecta of flashbacks, and his dour constitution still pairs perfectly with Helen’s reassuring nature.

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

What really sets Black Doves apart, though, are its lovable characters and its beguiling mix of laughs and tears, which flirt with existential despair without ever fully tipping into it.

— Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2026
The throngs of freedmen and women only compounded white Georgians’ despair.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of despair

Noun

And Saturday, with the game temporarily relocated to Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the Gators couldn’t even drown their sorrows in the usual Jacksonville sunshine.

— Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 Oct. 2026
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari expressed sorrow over the deaths and called for a prompt, transparent investigation to determine the cause, according to a statement from his office.

— ABC News, ABC News, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of sorrow

Noun

It’s found to result in improved coping, increased mental clarity, better emotion regulation, reduced depression, and ironically less loneliness.

— Cheryl Fenton, Flow Space, 5 Nov. 2026
Anxiety and depression are common symptoms of the condition that intensify in the days leading up to a woman’s period.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 5 Nov. 2026

Definition of depression

Noun

But when the lines between sincerity and cynicism are so blurred, does intention even matter?

— Andrew Ryce, Pitchfork, 3 Nov. 2026
As the country grapples with division and cynicism, the creators argue that audiences need the work’s message of hope — and that the country belongs to everyone.

— Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of cynicism

Noun

The vestiges of his fading memory flash by with a haunting plainness, the melancholy of all this Americana and the sadness of a mind ravaged by time strike the viewer plainly at the end of this maximalist piece of life-writing.

— Stephanie Wambugu, Vulture, 12 Oct. 2026
The question for me is whether or not Lloyd will also manage to capture the melancholy of a deceptively serious play, notwithstanding its reputation.

— Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of melancholy

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pesky

pessimism

pessimist

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“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of pessimism

noun

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