pessimism

[pes-uh-miz-uhm] / ˈpɛs əˌmɪz əm /

NOUN

belief in bad outcome

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cynicism despair distrust gloom grief hopelessness melancholy sadness unhappiness

STRONG

dejection depression despondency dyspepsia gloominess glumness

WEAK

dark side dim view expectation of worst gloomy outlook low spirits

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cheer confidence faith happiness joy joyfulness trust

WEAK

optimism

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“Market pessimism once again grows over the prospects of a U.S.-Iran deal that could pave the way for a reopening of the Strait of Hormuz,” analysts at Saxo Bank said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

Those shares don’t perform as well, on average, in the wake of extreme optimism as they would in extreme pessimism.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

During the reporting process, I noticed my pessimism soften a little.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 30, 2026

The bottom line: Keep your pessimism in check.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026

I could lose myself forever in that singular little face, in the pessimism of her beautiful mouth.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

Vocabulary lists containing pessimism

Artemis Fowl

Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!

Promises to Keep

Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!

Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!