pessimism

noun

pes·​si·​mism ˈpe-sə-ˌmi-zəm How to pronounce pessimism (audio)
 also  ˈpe-zə-
Synonyms of pessimismnext
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 Despite the pessimism caused by March’s inflation figures, the bank remains steadfast in predicting a soft landing. —Paolo Confino, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024 That pessimism was directly tied to waning Western support for Ukraine, Mr. Hrushetsky said. —Carlotta Gall Lynsey Addario, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pessimism 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pessimism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from French pessimisme, from Latin pessimus "worst" + French -isme -ism, formed by analogy with optimisme optimism; Latin pessimus, probably going back to *pedisamos, derivative (with -isamos, superlative suffix, going back to Italic & Celtic *-ism̥mos) of *ped-, extracted from *ped-tu- "a fall, falling" (whence Latin pessum "to the bottom, to destruction"), verbal noun from an Indo-European base *ped- "step, fall," whence, with varying ablaut grades, Old English gefetan "to fall," Old Church Slavic padǫ, pasti, Sanskrit padyate "(s/he) falls, perishes"

Note: The Indo-European verbal base *ped- is generally taken to be a derivative of the noun *pōd-, ped- "foot"; see foot entry 1.

First Known Use

1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pessimism was in 1815

Dictionary Entries Near pessimism

pessimal

pessimism

pessimist

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pessimism. Accessed 5 May. 2024.

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Kids Definition

pessimism

noun
pes·​si·​mism ˈpes-ə-ˌmiz-əm How to pronounce pessimism (audio)
1
: a tending to expect the worst possible outcome
2
: a belief that evil is more common than good in life
pessimist
-məst How to pronounce pessimism (audio)
noun

Medical Definition

pessimism

noun
pes·​si·​mism
ˈpes-ə-ˌmiz-əm also ˈpez-
: an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome
pessimistic
ˌpes-ə-ˈmis-tik also ˌpez-
adjective
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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