Synonyms of pessimism

pessimism

noun

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.

Synonyms & Similar Words

• desperation
• sadness
• despair
• sorrow
• gloom
• depression
• cynicism
• melancholy
• hopelessness
• unhappiness
• sorrowfulness
• gloominess
• dejection
• oppression
• despondency
• joylessness
• despondence
• dreariness
• forlornness
• blues
• mournfulness
• self-pity
• despond
• misery
• dumps
• doldrums
• distress
• downheartedness
• blue devils
• dolor
• desolation
• mopes
• self-despair
• disconsolateness
• resignation
• dispiritedness
• woe
• agony
• wretchedness
• pain
• acceptance
• woefulness
• dolefulness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• optimism
• cheerfulness
• cheer
• mirth
• glee
• gayety
• joy
• merriment
• gaiety
• joviality
• happiness
• lightheartedness
• exuberance
• jollity
• euphoria
• elation
• exultation
• sunniness
• ecstasy
• jubilation
• rapture
• bliss
• joyousness
• exhilaration
• gladness
• hope
• hopefulness
• joyfulness
• gleefulness
• mirthfulness
• blissfulness
• elatedness
• rapturousness

Examples of pessimism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This default to pessimism translates to tendencies like ducking praise while soaking up criticism, or ruminating on negative experiences longer than savouring positive ones. —Ellen Choi, Forbes, 9 Oct. 2024

An unwinding of analysts’ pessimism could give the equity more tailwinds. —Schaeffer's Investment Research, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024

While shares in Arm have more than doubled in 2024, Intel’s have nearly halved amid major pessimism over the chipmaker’s direction. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune Europe, 27 Sep. 2024

Still, investors seemed to shrug off the air of pessimism. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2024