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
Examples 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
By contrast, those who are pessimistic are most likely to cite concerns about his character.
—
Andrew Torgan, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
Unlike Celeste, and unlike Howard Roark in Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, who stood for the artist’s right to individual integrity, Toth’s psychosis derives from a pessimistic view of history.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
More specifically about Matheson’s father, his son writes at various times of how pessimistic his dad was.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
The media, our social media feeds and our most pessimistic friends fill us with doom and gloom stories.
—Axios, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pessimistic 
Andrew Torgan, CNN, 15 Dec. 2024
Unlike Celeste, and unlike Howard Roark in Ayn Rand’s The Fountainhead, who stood for the artist’s right to individual integrity, Toth’s psychosis derives from a pessimistic view of history.
—Armond White, National Review, 3 Jan. 2025
More specifically about Matheson’s father, his son writes at various times of how pessimistic his dad was.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 1 Jan. 2025
The media, our social media feeds and our most pessimistic friends fill us with doom and gloom stories.
—Axios, 25 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for pessimistic
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimistic
Adjective
-
The battle between parents and tech-savvy children over access to the Internet and apps might seem hopeless.Daniel de Visé, USA TODAY, 26 Dec. 2024
-
Burns is asked how to avoid feeling hopeless during a stretch like this.Dan Duggan, The Athletic, 16 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Coming-of-age teen comedies were never quite as wonderfully cynical before this movie about four teenage girls whose lives are upended by the arrival of a new kid, played by Christian Slater.Brian Tallerico, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
-
Without any real prospect of serious concessions from Western states, the Taliban became cynical about ever gaining legitimacy on the world stage.Delaney Simon, Foreign Affairs, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
While Bass claims that no budget cuts impacted the firefighting efforts, LAFD Chief Kristin Crowley directly contradicted this, stating that the cuts had a negative impact on the firefight.James Powel, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2025
-
Each of them allows your mind to move into a more neutral mindset, taking it away from all the stressors and negative thoughts of the day.Emily Cegielski, Flow Space, 11 Jan. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near pessimistic
Cite this Entry
“Pessimistic.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimistic. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share