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
In fact, scientific research has found that helping others, even acts like donating money, especially during times of crisis — reduces negative emotions like pessimism and increases overall life satisfaction.
—
Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
But the way this campaign ends will at least go some way to setting the levels of pessimism, and Pereira’s personality and natural connection with the Wolves public have already gone a small way to putting smiles on faces.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
The New York Fed’s survey of consumer expectations recently showed increasing pessimism about households’ financial prospects.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2025
Executive Summary Amid rising investor pessimism, this article contends that market fears may be overstated.
—Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Rabbi Dr. Kenneth Brander, Sun Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
But the way this campaign ends will at least go some way to setting the levels of pessimism, and Pereira’s personality and natural connection with the Wolves public have already gone a small way to putting smiles on faces.
—Steve Madeley, The Athletic, 20 Mar. 2025
The New York Fed’s survey of consumer expectations recently showed increasing pessimism about households’ financial prospects.
—Tobias Burns, The Hill, 19 Mar. 2025
Executive Summary Amid rising investor pessimism, this article contends that market fears may be overstated.
—Joel Shulman, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
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Too many business owners negotiate from a place of desperation.—
Lien De Pau,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
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The Browns or the Giants may feel the itch of desperation and draft Sanders in the top three.—
Derrik Klassen,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Magnificent heroes of delicacy and seduction, Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant forever illuminate the film of our lives, like these two posters, whose colors express the intensity of a passionate love that triumphs over despair.—
Patrick Hipes,
Deadline,
21 Apr. 2025
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The most heartbreaking thing about this highly heartbreaking scene, to me, is how Ramsey communicates Ellie’s despair at realizing there’s no time to fix things between them.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And then, to forever live on earth, in a place with conflict and pain and sorrow, that’s not her goal.—
Brian Davids,
HollywoodReporter,
23 Apr. 2025
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In churches like this, where belief is expressed in multiple languages, the loss of a pope is a death in the family, and the sorrow, like the faith, runs deep.—
Janet Shamlian,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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And yet the announcement wasn’t all doom and gloom.—
Rebecca Ellis,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2025
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Despite all the doom and gloom and the difficult comparison to past recessions, some analysts still see green shoots.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Families who lose a loved one are prone to mental health deficits such as depression, PTSD, and anxiety, compounded by feelings of guilt, self-blame, shame, and condemnation, often resulting in social isolation.—
William Mullane,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
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This number will go up, more children will struggle—depression, hunger and more parts of their lives will spiral out of control.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
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My hope is to be able to inspire them back off the brink of this sort of politics of cynicism and hate to a politics of hope and aspiration and investment in oneself and one's community.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Apr. 2025
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In addition to the changes around LGBTQ+ inclusion, 2021 restrictions on a certain traditionalist liturgy outraged a contingent of Catholics who developed a cynicism about Francis’ reforms mirroring that of the Second Vatican Council.—
Liam Adams,
USA Today,
23 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Chu's main input was slowing down the song's pacing overall, leaning into the melancholy of the moment.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
22 Mar. 2025
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Gyuri Kim, with her feeling for melancholy and uncertainty, turned out to be a wonderful counterpart.—
Jazz Monroe,
Pitchfork,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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