as in desperation
a feeling or belief that bad things will happen in the future; a feeling or belief that what you hope for will not happen
She has expressed pessimism over the outcome of the trial. Although the economy shows signs of improving, a sense of pessimism remains. He expressed his pessimism about politics and politicians.
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of pessimism
No surprise Pew Research’s year-end roundup noted global pessimism about leadership, democracy, politics and economics entering 2025.
—
Caroline Aiken Koster, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2025
Broader investor pessimism has bled into the market, as traders began losing faith in Big Tech stocks that have driven the majority of the market’s gains over the past two years.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
Analysts point to the civil conflict, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and forced nearly 8 million from their homes, for what has become a culture of pessimism and distrust.
—Mie Hoejris Dahl, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Jan. 2025
In contrast, mainland Chinese markets were weighed down by investor pessimism.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pessimism 
Caroline Aiken Koster, New York Daily News, 1 Jan. 2025
Broader investor pessimism has bled into the market, as traders began losing faith in Big Tech stocks that have driven the majority of the market’s gains over the past two years.
—Pia Singh, CNBC, 13 Jan. 2025
Analysts point to the civil conflict, which killed hundreds of thousands of people and forced nearly 8 million from their homes, for what has become a culture of pessimism and distrust.
—Mie Hoejris Dahl, The Christian Science Monitor, 6 Jan. 2025
In contrast, mainland Chinese markets were weighed down by investor pessimism.
—Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
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Organized theft is no petty crime; these are not one-off crimes of desperation or a mom lifting a can of formula to feed her baby.—
Cailey Locklair,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Jan. 2025
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That’s a Shawn Ryan [decision in the writing], and then my job is to act out that turmoil and choreograph the desperation and brutality.—
Max Gao,
The Hollywood Reporter,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Amid the despair and without information on her daughter’s whereabouts, Julia finds support and strength in other women whose lives also have been upended by the violence.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2025
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There will be those moments when the buoyancy of hope will be transformed into the fatigue of despair.—
Lydia Price,
People.com,
20 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Inaugurations have been held in both joy and sorrow in the nation's capital and, infamously, on a plane in Dallas.—
James Powel,
USA TODAY,
18 Jan. 2025
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In a heartfelt statement from Truex's children – Martin Truex Jr., Ryan Truex, and Marsha McVey, the family shared their deep sorrow, paying tribute to their late father.—
David Faris,
Newsweek,
18 Jan. 2025
Noun
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There’s a lot of doom and gloom around the state of film criticism, especially as it’s become democratized by social media.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
17 Jan. 2025
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Do not let despair or doom and gloom put you into a catatonic funk.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes,
17 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The mental benefits of dancing are also well studied, improving mood and alleviating symptoms of stress, depression, and anxiety.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
26 Jan. 2025
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From his research came a prescription: A nation plagued with heart disease, diabetes, depression and an addiction crisis was — more than anything else — in need of community.—
Rachel Kraus,
Los Angeles Times,
24 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Getting a specialist pass rusher has got to be top priority (again!), P Perry M. · 4h 42m ago This quote perfectly captures Falcons fans' desperation and cynicism.—
Josh Kendall,
The Athletic,
20 Jan. 2025
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Yet Moscow’s track record of negotiation and peace over a decade of war in Ukraine should prove cause for great caution, if not cynicism.—
Nick Paton Walsh,
CNN,
14 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Young American Taylah Sanders (Quintessa Swindell, sparky with a touch of melancholy), is part of a small NSA unit disguised as students on a gap year, sharing a pad in lovely Cassis on the French Mediterranean.—
Robert Lloyd,
Los Angeles Times,
21 Jan. 2025
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Richard Engel Reporting from Jerusalem In Israel, there is a feeling of melancholy.—
Jennifer Jett,
NBC News,
17 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pessimism
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.
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