1
as in hopeless
emphasizing or expecting the worst
with that pessimistic attitude, it's no wonder you're depressed
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of pessimistic
Beyond their negative outlook on the future of their party, 55% of Democrats are also pessimistic about the way leaders are chosen in the U.S.
—
Linley Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
The closest comparisons to this year paint an even more pessimistic picture.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025
While downgrades are nothing new, Moody’s cited six factors — an unusually large number, with all of them related in one way or the other to Trump policies — for its pessimistic forecast.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Consumers have the most pessimistic outlook since October 2011, according to the Conference Board, driven by fears surrounding tariffs, inflation and the possibility of a recession.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Linley Sanders, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
The closest comparisons to this year paint an even more pessimistic picture.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 28 Apr. 2025
While downgrades are nothing new, Moody’s cited six factors — an unusually large number, with all of them related in one way or the other to Trump policies — for its pessimistic forecast.
—Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 18 May 2025
Consumers have the most pessimistic outlook since October 2011, according to the Conference Board, driven by fears surrounding tariffs, inflation and the possibility of a recession.
—Ryan Ermey, CNBC, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
-
All seemed hopeless for Moore and Mansell, until, out of the blue, a lawyer with the Office of the White House Counsel contacted Moore’s defense lawyers, Seitles and Litwin-Diego, in April to inquire about the case.—
Jay Weaver,
Miami Herald,
30 May 2025
-
The longtime psych-rock staple co-wrote the album with filmmaker Matt Yoka to be a collection of American stories about hopeless kleptomaniacs, urban explorers, and other people who slip through the cracks.—
Nina Corcoran,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
The British showrunner of that blisteringly cynical drama spent five years and 39 episodes giving us a portrait of filthy rich people pulling strings and behaving badly.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
31 May 2025
-
But the message at the heart of Isle of Dogs, that saving others is the only way to save one’s self, is enough to turn the most cynical viewer into a believer—and maybe even a dog lover.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
30 May 2025
Adjective
-
There is no denying that tariffs come with a net negative cost to the consumer and economic surplus overall.—
Zev Fima,
CNBC,
4 June 2025
-
Meanwhile, polls show that Trump continues to face strong headwinds on the issue of inflation, with net approval ratings on the topic deeply negative—despite attempts by his administration to scale back tariffs, having paused the majority of them.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share