1
as in hopeless
emphasizing or expecting the worst
with that pessimistic attitude, it's no wonder you're depressed
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in cynical
having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives
pessimistic about the prospects for a lasting peace in the area
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Recent Examples of pessimistic
However the panel was pessimistic about the time frame for change, considering the EU’s bureaucratic structure.
—
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
On Friday, Cora was similarly pessimistic about the prospect of Richard Fitts returning from arm neuritis before season’s end.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Employers have hit the brakes on hiring in recent months as Americans once again grow pessimistic about the economy’s future.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
The baby survived the attack, but those close to the victim were pessimistic about her potential quality of life in the immediate aftermath.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 16 Sep. 2025
On Friday, Cora was similarly pessimistic about the prospect of Richard Fitts returning from arm neuritis before season’s end.
—Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 16 Sep. 2025
Employers have hit the brakes on hiring in recent months as Americans once again grow pessimistic about the economy’s future.
—Bryan Mena, CNN Money, 16 Sep. 2025
The baby survived the attack, but those close to the victim were pessimistic about her potential quality of life in the immediate aftermath.
—Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 16 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
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The bubble-ists think that the Coreweave people are hopeless dreamers at best and shysters at worst.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
28 Sep. 2025
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Since then, the song has been yearned for by hopeless romantics on TikTok, with videos featuring the song racking up millions of views, similar to the ones Iris posted herself.—
Alejandra Gularte,
Vulture,
27 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The director plays up the humor a lot more than Westlake’s callously cynical prose, for better or worse.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
30 Sep. 2025
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When the fortune teller’s predictions start to materialize, once cynical Gemma is ready to take a leap of faith.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The inflation hammering households is primarily due to the weak yen that the Abe government orchestrated with negative interest rates and massive monetary easing, causing a surge in energy and food prices that pinches voters’ wallets.—
Jeff Kingston,
Time,
4 Oct. 2025
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The website, though, shows a negative subtotal of more than $2 million, suggesting money allocated to the grant that was unspent.—
Meg Tirrell,
CNN Money,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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