pessimism

noun

pes·si·mism ˈpe-sə-ˌmi-zəm How to pronounce pessimism (audio)

also ˈpe-zə-

: an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome

: the doctrine that reality is essentially evil

: the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life

Example Sentences

Although the economy shows signs of improving, a sense of pessimism remains.

Recent Examples on the Web Kentucky is better than most of its schedule, but there are enough question marks for potential pessimism.

Usa Today Sports Network, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2022 Despite reports of increasing pessimism and recession fears from consumers, the economy continues to expand.

Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 29 June 2022 Sometimes exuberance can morph into excessive pessimism.

Aaron Back, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Both polling and interviews with voters suggest a depth of frustration with politicians and deep pessimism about the nation’s economy amid high inflation and a dire shortage of workers and housing in New Hampshire.

Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Rising uncertainty about the war in Ukraine also seems to have played a role in the market’s newfound pessimism.

Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2022 What's behind this rise in pessimism about our country's future?

NBC News, 21 Aug. 2022 All this has added to a growing sense of disillusionment and pessimism within China’s middle class.

Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2022 Burnham went on to explain that in surveys conducted in the region of 14-15-year-olds, there is clear anxiety about the future and an underlying pessimism about what prospects are in store for them.

Adi Gaskell, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 See More

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

单词	pessimism
释义	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 Example Sentences Although the economy shows signs of improving, a sense of pessimism remains. Recent Examples on the Web Kentucky is better than most of its schedule, but there are enough question marks for potential pessimism. Usa Today Sports Network, USA TODAY, 28 Aug. 2022 Despite reports of increasing pessimism and recession fears from consumers, the economy continues to expand. Q.ai - Powering A Personal Wealth Movement, Forbes, 29 June 2022 Sometimes exuberance can morph into excessive pessimism. Aaron Back, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 Both polling and interviews with voters suggest a depth of frustration with politicians and deep pessimism about the nation’s economy amid high inflation and a dire shortage of workers and housing in New Hampshire. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 23 Aug. 2022 Rising uncertainty about the war in Ukraine also seems to have played a role in the market’s newfound pessimism. Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 23 Aug. 2022 What's behind this rise in pessimism about our country's future? NBC News, 21 Aug. 2022 All this has added to a growing sense of disillusionment and pessimism within China’s middle class. Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2022 Burnham went on to explain that in surveys conducted in the region of 14-15-year-olds, there is clear anxiety about the future and an underlying pessimism about what prospects are in store for them. Adi Gaskell, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 See More 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 Kids Definition pessimism noun pes·si·mism ˈpe-sə-ˌmi-zəm : a feeling or belief that things are usually bad or that bad things will happen 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 pessimism noun as in sadness 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 Relevance sadness despair desperation sorrow gloom cynicism melancholy depression hopelessness unhappiness sorrowfulness gloominess dejection joylessness oppression despondency despondence dreariness mournfulness forlornness blues misery despond downheartedness mopes doldrums self-pity dumps blue devils distress self-despair dolor disconsolateness desolation resignation dispiritedness woe wretchedness agony acceptance woefulness pain dolefulness Antonyms & Near Antonyms optimism cheerfulness mirth cheer glee joviality joy exuberance gaiety gayety happiness euphoria lightheartedness elation jollity sunniness exultation jubilation hopefulness joyousness merriment ecstasy exhilaration rapture bliss joyfulness gladness hope gleefulness mirthfulness blissfulness elatedness rapturousness See More
随便看	swanker swankers swankest swankier swankies swankiest swankilier swankiliest swankily swankiness swankinesses swanking swankpots swanks swanky swanlike swanmark swanmote swanneck swannecks swanned swanneries swannery swanning swanny

pessimism

noun

Example Sentences

Word History

Kids Definition

noun

Medical Definition

noun

noun