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
An unwinding of pessimism in the options pits could keep the tailwinds blowing.
—
Schaeffer's Investment Research, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Other findings were more moderate than the pessimism on future unemployment.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The attack underlined growing pessimism in Ukraine and among allies that the war can be ended any time soon, with Russian President Vladimir Putin resisting calls for a ceasefire and emboldened by strengthening relations with China.
—Lidia Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
The most common reason for this pessimism was fear that the PKK itself might sabotage the process.
—Alpaslan Ozerdem, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Schaeffer's Investment Research, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
Other findings were more moderate than the pessimism on future unemployment.
—Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025
The attack underlined growing pessimism in Ukraine and among allies that the war can be ended any time soon, with Russian President Vladimir Putin resisting calls for a ceasefire and emboldened by strengthening relations with China.
—Lidia Kelly, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2025
The most common reason for this pessimism was fear that the PKK itself might sabotage the process.
—Alpaslan Ozerdem, The Conversation, 2 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
-
Trailing by two scores in the fourth quarter, Dart shifted into desperation mode.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
Okane is desperate at the prospect of losing both her true love and her one defender, and her desperation gives rise to extravagant and harrowing drama.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There’s not even a sadness or an anger.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
1 Oct. 2025
-
When his dog, Grace, died the year before, at the age of sixteen and a half, the sadness was overwhelming.—
Ann Patchett,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Maybe there will come a time when Reid is comfortable publicly sharing stories about his sister and the despair the family has endured with her loss.—
Jon Krawczynski,
New York Times,
30 Sep. 2025
-
But the show's greatest asset is its stars, whose endearing real-life friendship pierces through the play’s inherent despair.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Neighbors and members of the community in Grand Blanc, Michigan, expressed shock and sorrow in interviews with Fox News Digital.—
Anders Hagstrom , Garrett Tenney,
FOXNews.com,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Words cannot capture the depth of our sorrow for their loss.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
September was supposed to be all doom and gloom.—
Rebecca Rubin,
Variety,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Meanwhile, job growth hasn’t been as robust as other indicators have been, casting gloom over the housing market.—
Preston Fore,
Fortune,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Newsweek spoke with two mental health experts to better understand the rare condition, which is characterized by both schizophrenia symptoms and mood disorders such as mania or depression.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
And with that notion, Anderson brushes aside the remaining traces of Gen X cynicism he’s largely left behind and resets the stage for the next battle.—
Richard Newby,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
-
Sudden cynicism, withdrawal from optional projects, or reluctance to celebrate wins often signal that ambition is running on fumes.—
Benjamin Laker,
Forbes.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
An aura of melancholy does not stop Madvillainy from being endlessly joyful and playful.—
Pitchfork,
Pitchfork,
30 Sep. 2025
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But even here, the ache of the lovers’ separation registers with only a muffled sense of melancholy.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
11 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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