Synonyms of pessimism

pessimism

noun

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.

Related Words

• desperation
• sadness
• despair
• sorrow
• gloom
• depression
• cynicism
• melancholy
• hopelessness
• unhappiness
• sorrowfulness
• gloominess
• dejection
• oppression
• despondency
• joylessness
• despondence
• dreariness
• forlornness
• blues
• mournfulness
• self-pity
• despond
• misery
• dumps
• doldrums
• distress
• downheartedness
• blue devils
• dolor
• desolation
• mopes
• self-despair
• disconsolateness
• resignation
• dispiritedness
• woe
• agony
• wretchedness
• pain
• acceptance
• woefulness
• dolefulness

Dissimilar Words

• optimism
• cheerfulness
• cheer
• mirth
• glee
• joy
• merriment
• gaiety
• joviality
• happiness
• lightheartedness
• exuberance
• jollity
• euphoria
• elation
• exultation
• sunniness
• ecstasy
• jubilation
• rapture
• bliss
• joyousness
• exhilaration
• hope
• gladness
• hopefulness
• joyfulness
• gleefulness
• mirthfulness
• blissfulness
• elatedness
• rapturousness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of pessimism

And that pessimism creates a barrier that keeps us from reaching out more often. — Julie Kratz, Forbes.com, 9 Aug. 2026

His prose radiates an ecstatic pessimism, as if lit up from within by the relief of not having to sugarcoat things with comforting lies. — Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2026

Cramer argued that Tuesday’s rally showed the cost of giving in to that pessimism. — Alexa Lomonaco, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026

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