pessimism
noun
pes·si·mism
ˈpe-sə-ˌmi-zəm 
also ˈpe-zə-
1
: an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome
2
a
: the doctrine that reality is essentially evil
b
: the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life
Examples of pessimism in a Sentence
Although the economy shows signs of improving, a sense of pessimism remains.
Recent Examples on the Web
While that doesn’t sound like good news, decades of market history show that extreme pessimism among consumers has coincided with compelling equity market returns going forward.
—
John Buckingham, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Ned Davis Research agrees stocks may be due for a rebound as pessimism reaches extremes.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
Related article Arming Ukraine: A closer look at US military aid since 2021
The evidence of the past decade should lead to pessimism, and deceit has flown almost entirely one way.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
What Happens Next Alongside the potential impacts of an economic slowdown, a possible government shutdown threatens to disrupt services for American citizens and inject even more pessimism into the country's fiscal outlook.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
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John Buckingham, Forbes, 17 Mar. 2025
Ned Davis Research agrees stocks may be due for a rebound as pessimism reaches extremes.
—Fred Imbert, CNBC, 12 Mar. 2025
Related article Arming Ukraine: A closer look at US military aid since 2021
The evidence of the past decade should lead to pessimism, and deceit has flown almost entirely one way.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 11 Mar. 2025
What Happens Next Alongside the potential impacts of an economic slowdown, a possible government shutdown threatens to disrupt services for American citizens and inject even more pessimism into the country's fiscal outlook.
—Faisal Kutty, Newsweek, 11 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pessimism. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
pessimism
noun
pes·si·mism
ˈpes-ə-ˌmiz-əm
1
: a tending to expect the worst possible outcome
2
: a belief that evil is more common than good in life
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