1
as in cynic
one who emphasizes bad aspects or conditions and expects the worst
she's such a pessimist that she's convinced she'll fail every test
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in misanthrope
a person who distrusts other people and believes that everything is done for selfish reasons
a true pessimist, he's convinced that there will be wars as long as there are people to wage them
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pessimist
Optimists scale the career ladder faster and farther than pessimists.
—
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Optimists climb the career ladder faster and farther than pessimists.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Studies show that optimists, compared to pessimists, have lower stress levels, move faster up the career ladder, have fewer health complaints and live longer.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
So far, all signs indicate that the pessimists were right.
—Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimist
Bryan Robinson, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Optimists climb the career ladder faster and farther than pessimists.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
Studies show that optimists, compared to pessimists, have lower stress levels, move faster up the career ladder, have fewer health complaints and live longer.
—Bryan Robinson, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
So far, all signs indicate that the pessimists were right.
—Keith Gessen, The New Yorker, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimist
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimist
Noun
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Those cynics contend the front office might as well spend that money on other position groups.—
Tim Graham,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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In fact, cynics do worse on cognitive tests and have a harder time spotting liars than non-cynics.—
Jamil Zaki,
TIME,
3 Sep. 2024
Noun
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Yet, as a realist, someone can’t help but notice the shift in tone and control.—
Max (Chong) Li,
Forbes.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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Her newer work is filled with references to the American realist — shadows stretch across faces, light filters through blinds and voyeuristically peeks into homes.—
Leah Asmelash,
CNN,
26 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimist.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimist. Accessed 3 May. 2025.
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