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 Oil hit $100 a barrel and Magnificent 7 stocks shed nearly $800 billion in market value on Thursday, as pessimism over steep AI spending and the Iran war dragged down global markets. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 23 July 2026 The findings from the survey released Wednesday may be compounded by pessimism about the job market, Maese says. — Joseph Kim, NPR, 22 July 2026 The flurry of Pakistani and Qatari delegations visiting Iran in an effort to sustain the ceasefire has given way to pessimism among regional diplomats. — Jomana Karadsheh, CNN Money, 19 July 2026 The supply of oil is more constrained than ever, but its price is nowhere near peak pessimism. — Jim Edwards, Fortune, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for pessimism

Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism

Noun

But in his desperation to find a Russian pressure point that could restart the peace process, Zelensky allowed preparations for the strikes to continue for several months this spring and early summer, both sources said.

— Simon Shuster, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Mac Ghlionn paints a picture of desperation whereby the 65+ cohort must work to pay the bills, but the happier reality is that this is not your grandfather's 65.

— John Tamny, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of desperation

Noun

At the same time, 40% reported experiencing stress, 23% reported sadness, 22% anger and 22% loneliness.

— Naira Velumyan, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Still, there are strains of deeper sadness and discomfort here, largely in the passive-aggressive tension between Kim’s character and her onscreen mother (superbly played by a new recuit, veteran TV star Choi Myeonggil).

— Guy Lodge, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of sadness

Noun

For days, Nidhi observed her for signs of secret despair but could detect none.

— Madhuri Vijay, New Yorker, 16 Aug. 2026
So, what was once a pretty harsh ride that tended to skip sideways in bumpy corners, bludgeon yours and your passenger’s spine and kidneys, and remind you what terror and despair really are, is now gone.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of despair

Noun

Many women who experience a miscarriage or stillbirth also develop symptoms of depression.

— Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
California, Colorado, Kentucky and New Jersey accuse Meta of designing the platforms to hook young users, fueling anxiety, depression and even suicide, and misleading consumers about their safety.

— Reuters, NBC news, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of depression

Noun

But Roy’s story of Annie (Arjun Raina), a New Delhi architecture student caught in a vicious cycle of failing and repeating his studies, gradually reveals itself as a sharp and poignant portrayal of youth, deftly poised between hope and cynicism.

— Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 18 Aug. 2026
Mitchell’s own imitation of Spielbergian life, despite its meticulous re-creation (and gleeful destruction) of eighties suburbia, stumbles into an uncanny valley between sincerity and cynicism, between unintentional comedy and deliberate homage.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of cynicism

Browse Nearby Words

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pessimism

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“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of pessimism

noun

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