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
The poll, conducted at the beginning of April, adds to a picture of economic gloom in the US, as Americans worry about the affordability of gas and other necessities and express pessimism about the job market.
—
Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Such extreme pessimism has historically acted as a contrarian indicator for markets, Hartnett said, with prior lows in sentiment coinciding with key turning points for equities, including in October 2023 and April 2025.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
The first shows affordability as Maryland’s top issue; the second reveals growing pessimism about the state’s direction.
—Randy Altschuler, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2026
Democratic strategist Nina Smith, who worked on Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, given the pessimism about the war and the economy, the party must actively engage voters in every corner of the country.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 29 Apr. 2026
Such extreme pessimism has historically acted as a contrarian indicator for markets, Hartnett said, with prior lows in sentiment coinciding with key turning points for equities, including in October 2023 and April 2025.
—Yun Li, CNBC, 14 Apr. 2026
The first shows affordability as Maryland’s top issue; the second reveals growing pessimism about the state’s direction.
—Randy Altschuler, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2026
Democratic strategist Nina Smith, who worked on Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, given the pessimism about the war and the economy, the party must actively engage voters in every corner of the country.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
-
If the Lakers are going to find a new level of desperation and resilience to avoid a sweep – answers better emerge on the horizon.—
Benjamin Royer,
Oc Register,
10 May 2026
-
Then, in a time of desperation, in the middle of March, Brown looked to Clarkson for the spark that has become synonymous with his career as a bench scorer.—
James L. Edwards III,
New York Times,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s some sadness mixed with true joy.—
David Canfield,
HollywoodReporter,
8 May 2026
-
For McKidd, seeing Dane included in the finale montage brought both sadness and gratitude.—
Deirdre Durkan,
PEOPLE,
8 May 2026
Noun
-
All morning, Keller had been swinging between optimism and despair.—
Rachel Monroe,
New Yorker,
14 May 2026
-
That’s not a reason to despair.—
Jeffrey Sanchez-Burks,
Fortune,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Yet this book is written more in sorrow than in anger.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 May 2026
-
Late in the picture, a display of kindness from the elderly Catalan woman Lucila looks after introduces an unexpected reciprocity of care — even with those unfamiliar with her sorrows and the intricacies of her cultural background.—
Carlos Aguilar,
IndieWire,
13 May 2026
Noun
-
Labour has been plunged into gloom by heavy losses last week in local elections across England and legislative votes in Scotland and Wales.—
Jill Lawless,
Fortune,
11 May 2026
-
The high summer gloom magnified the nightmarish fairytale of it all.—
Eli Raphael,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Noun
-
Children are also on screens now more than ever, which is believed to contribute to more anxiety, depression, aggression and hyperactivity.—
Stacker,
Hartford Courant,
9 May 2026
-
Schizoaffective disorder is a mental health condition that is marked by a mix of schizophrenia symptoms, such as hallucinations and delusions, and mood disorder symptoms, such as depression, mania and a milder form of mania called hypomania, per the Mayo Clinic.—
Angela Andaloro,
PEOPLE,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
The real stars here are John Kander and Fred Ebb, who penned a score that drips with melodic aspiration and lyrical cynicism, and Bob Fosse, whose erotically muscular choreography is the perfect match.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
11 May 2026
-
Reasonable minds can disagree, though, and cynicism seems hasty.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 May 2026
Noun
-
While the actors are committed, poignant and warm, their upbeat tone doesn’t always blend well with the melancholy of the picture.—
Tomris Laffly,
Variety,
13 May 2026
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These flashes of melancholy or yearning give the record complexity and depth, as well as stopping it from devolving into wackiness.—
Alastair Shuttleworth,
Pitchfork,
2 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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