pessimistic
adjective
pes·si·mis·tic ˌpe-sə-ˈmi-stik 
also ˌpe-zə-
: of, relating to, or characterized by pessimism : gloomy
pessimistically
ˌpe-sə-ˈmi-sti-k(ə-)lē
adverb also ˌpe-zə-
Synonyms
- bearish
- defeatist
- despairing
- downbeat
- hopeless
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Most doctors were pessimistic that a cure could be found. The film gives a very pessimistic view of human nature. He has an extremely negative and pessimistic attitude.
Recent Examples on the Web Raising prices Chris Prosperi, owner of Metro Bis in Simsbury, is not pessimistic for his future. 
Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 4 Sep. 2022 This expectation seems overly pessimistic for a company that grew NOPAT by 16% compounded annually over the past decade and 14% compounded annually over the past two decades. David Trainer, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Lori Calvasina all predict a target between 4,500 and 4,700, while the most pessimistic prediction came from Morgan Stanley's strategist Mike Wilson at 3,900. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 22 June 2022 The preliminary result posted earlier this month showed consumers, whose spending drives about two-thirds of the economy, in their most pessimistic mood since 2011. Larry Edelman, BostonGlobe.com, 24 May 2022 Chinese auto stocks have skidded lower this year, as sluggish sales and supply-chain disruptions have made investors more pessimistic about the world’s largest car market. Clarence Leong, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2022 What analysts are saying Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, is still pessimistic. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2022 That may be pessimistic, but WB management has not exactly felt like cause for optimism for many current DC projects. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 There's much more reason to be pessimistic in this moment than there is to be optimistic about the direction of the economy. Fox News Staff, Fox News, 9 July 2022 See More
Susan Dunne, Hartford Courant, 4 Sep. 2022 This expectation seems overly pessimistic for a company that grew NOPAT by 16% compounded annually over the past decade and 14% compounded annually over the past two decades. David Trainer, Forbes, 15 Aug. 2022 Lori Calvasina all predict a target between 4,500 and 4,700, while the most pessimistic prediction came from Morgan Stanley's strategist Mike Wilson at 3,900. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 22 June 2022 The preliminary result posted earlier this month showed consumers, whose spending drives about two-thirds of the economy, in their most pessimistic mood since 2011. Larry Edelman, BostonGlobe.com, 24 May 2022 Chinese auto stocks have skidded lower this year, as sluggish sales and supply-chain disruptions have made investors more pessimistic about the world’s largest car market. Clarence Leong, WSJ, 16 Mar. 2022 What analysts are saying Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData, is still pessimistic. Sophie Mellor, Fortune, 24 Aug. 2022 That may be pessimistic, but WB management has not exactly felt like cause for optimism for many current DC projects. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 12 Aug. 2022 There's much more reason to be pessimistic in this moment than there is to be optimistic about the direction of the economy. Fox News Staff, Fox News, 9 July 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
pessimist + -ic entry 1
First Known Use
1865, in the meaning defined above
Kids Definition
pessimistic
adjective
pes·si·mis·tic ˌpe-sə-ˈmi-stik
1
: tending to think that bad things will happen
2
: having the belief that evil is more common than good
pessimistic
adjective
1
as in cynical
emphasizing or expecting the worst with that pessimistic attitude, it's no wonder you're depressed Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- cynical
- hopeless
- downbeat
- defeatist
- bleak
- despairing
- negative
- depressing
- fatalistic
- discouraging
- grim
- desperate
- bearish
- nihilistic
- somber
- morose
- nihilist
- gloomy
- unlikely
- hostile
- cheerless
- disheartening
- inauspicious
- sullen
- saturnine
- unpromising
- sombre
- dismal
- sepulchral
- dreary
- funereal
- comfortless
- contrary
- desolate
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- optimistic
- hopeful
- upbeat
- rosy
- likely
- bright
- promising
- fair
- encouraging
- positive
- Pollyannaish
- golden
- propitious
- Pollyannish
- heartening
- favorable
- auspicious
- reassuring
- good
- Pollyanna
- Panglossian
- comforting
- rose-colored
- romantic
- utopian
- idealist
- cheerful
- visionary
- cheery
- cheering
- sunny
- chipper
2
as in misanthropic
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
- cynical
- misanthropic
- negative
- ironic
- sarcastic
- ironical
- skeptical
- fatalistic
- negativistic
- sardonic
- negativist
- defeatist
- distrustful
- mistrustful
- derisive
- suspicious
- scornful
- mocking
- jaded
- unsentimental
- hard-bitten
- sophisticated
- hard-edged
- worldly-wise
- hardcase
- hard-boiled
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- optimistic
- positive
- cheerful
- trustful
- trusting
- positivistic
- uncynical
- naive
- naïve
- positivist
- unsuspicious
- idealistic
- unsophisticated
- romantic
- impractical
- innocent
- sentimental
- maudlin
- sappy
- ingenuous
- rose-colored
- saccharine
- mushy
Synonym Chooser
The words cynical and misanthropic are common synonyms of pessimistic. While all three words mean "deeply distrustful," pessimistic implies having a gloomy, distrustful view of life.
pessimistic about the future
The synonyms cynical and pessimistic are sometimes interchangeable, but cynical implies having a sneering disbelief in sincerity or integrity.
cynical about politicians' motives
The meanings of misanthropic and pessimistic largely overlap; however, misanthropic suggests a rooted distrust and dislike of human beings and their society.
a solitary and misanthropic artist