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
Meanwhile, Americans seem to be increasingly pessimistic about the overall economy.
—
Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Optimistic Generation Beyond tax concerns, Gen X respondents had a more pessimistic outlook on the broader economy and their own financial readiness.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In Highland Park, the Optimist Club was decidedly pessimistic.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Younger workers today are also more pessimistic about the job market than older workers.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Kamaron McNair, CNBC, 31 Mar. 2026
Optimistic Generation Beyond tax concerns, Gen X respondents had a more pessimistic outlook on the broader economy and their own financial readiness.
—Aliss Higham, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
In Highland Park, the Optimist Club was decidedly pessimistic.
—Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 26 Mar. 2026
Younger workers today are also more pessimistic about the job market than older workers.
—Jessica Guynn, USA Today, 24 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
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Obsession also stars Michael Johnston, Inde Navarrette, Megan Lawless, and Andy Richter in a story about a hopeless romantic who makes a wish that his long-time crush falls in love with him.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
23 Apr. 2026
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With an emotional reaction that was joyful, not hopeless.—
Peter Larsen,
Daily News,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Senate Bill 6-D, one of the cynical subjects of this special session, would have further weakened Florida’s childhood vaccination rates, which have already sunk too low.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
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Both Angela Ingersoll, who played the ever-hopeful Sally, and Michelle Duffy, as the cynical realist Phyllis, pulsed with vivacious energy, playing across from Rapp’s sardonic take on wound-tight Ben and Wallem’s deeply sad exploration of Buddy.—
Chris Jones,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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According to Newsweek, the overall score was composed of 80% from survey results, and 20% from social listening analysis, which analyzed media coverage and online discussion to assess whether public sentiment was positive, neutral or negative.—
Finch Walker,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2026
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The contest aims to challenge negative stereotypes of seagulls, which are often seen as a nuisance, by imitating them, per local network WTV.—
Adam England,
PEOPLE,
29 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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