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
Glaucon’s characterization anticipates the Hobbesian view of the world—pessimistic and fearful of what unsocialized humans in the state of nature can do to each other.
—
Paul Rosenzweig, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Mounting layoff announcements in the past year, combined with the government’s own sluggish labor market reports, has left Americans increasingly pessimistic about the economy.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
But people who do think AI will tend to reduce job availability in their field are even more pessimistic about the prospect of finding a job.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Think of this as the pessimistic, narrower option, where the greenhouse effect curtails the zone's inner edge and the loss of carbon dioxide from a planetary atmosphere marks its outer edge.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Paul Rosenzweig, Washington Post, 9 Feb. 2026
Mounting layoff announcements in the past year, combined with the government’s own sluggish labor market reports, has left Americans increasingly pessimistic about the economy.
—Matt Ott, Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
But people who do think AI will tend to reduce job availability in their field are even more pessimistic about the prospect of finding a job.
—Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2026
Think of this as the pessimistic, narrower option, where the greenhouse effect curtails the zone's inner edge and the loss of carbon dioxide from a planetary atmosphere marks its outer edge.
—Keith Cooper, Space.com, 4 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
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Wearing what’s possibly the most embarrassing bridal headdress in the history of nuptials, Suzanna looks even more helpless and hopeless.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
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Young people feel hopeless about their ability to buy a home, start a business, or raise a family.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Craig Robinson is Reggie’s nemesis, as the aforementioned Jerry Basmati, a rival player (and cynical Christian), who inherited the post-gridiron media career Reggie imagined for himself.—
Television Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Feb. 2026
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To some leaders of the Council, President Harry Truman’s early recognition of the Jewish state in 1948 was not a great human-rights advance but a cynical gambit to pander to a bloc of voters and improve his chance of being reëlected in 1948.—
Nicholas Lemann,
New Yorker,
21 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Her outlook may not change, but right now the substance of your friendship — at least from your perspective — is all negative.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Denver Post,
25 Feb. 2026
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Her outlook may not change, but right now the substance of your friendship – at least from your perspective – is all negative.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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