1
as in hopeless
emphasizing or expecting the worst
with that pessimistic attitude, it's no wonder you're depressed
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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
According to Bank of America’s most recent Global Fund Manager Survey, a net 61% of participants anticipate a decline in the dollar’s value over the next 12 months — the most pessimistic outlook of major investors in almost 20 years.
—
Ganesh Rao,chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
The drop exceeded even some pessimistic Wall Street analysts’ predictions.
—Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 22 Apr. 2025
Yet there is also a pessimistic version, one the activists are not telling: that this is a slog without end.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
Both predictions are more pessimistic than the fund’s January projections, which came before Trump’s flurry of tariff announcements took America’s average import tax to its highest level in a century.
—Olesya Dmitracova, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Ganesh Rao,chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 22 Apr. 2025
The drop exceeded even some pessimistic Wall Street analysts’ predictions.
—Aarian Marshall, Wired News, 22 Apr. 2025
Yet there is also a pessimistic version, one the activists are not telling: that this is a slog without end.
—Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2025
Both predictions are more pessimistic than the fund’s January projections, which came before Trump’s flurry of tariff announcements took America’s average import tax to its highest level in a century.
—Olesya Dmitracova, CNN Money, 22 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
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That is until a mysterious someone starts sending strange gifts to hopeless widower Henry (Sheen) and his two bickering children, Will and Ella.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
8 May 2025
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Thus, all eyes turn to Antetokounmpo, much as all eyes did on Lillard as his situation in Portland grew increasingly hopeless in 2022 and 2023.—
John Hollinger,
New York Times,
29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These final years are sometimes treated as a lost period, because Twain’s writing grew bitter and cynical and unpalatable to those more interested in pleasing escapades.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
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What makes Kennedy’s order especially cynical is that designing and implementing a clinical trial is an extraordinarily complex, costly and time-consuming process.—
Michael Hiltzik,
Los Angeles Times,
8 May 2025
Adjective
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The large negative differences occurred as the Fed used higher federal fund rates to combat inflation, while supporting banks with a lower discount borrowing rate during the difficult times.—
John S. Tobey,
Forbes.com,
11 May 2025
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The constant consumption of negative news and content can activate the body's stress response, Aguvaveedi reported.—
Jasmine Laws,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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