as in desperation
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.
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Recent Examples of pessimism
If [consumer and business pessimism] is maintained, consumer spending will drop.
—
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
There’s growing evidence that social media and the decline of in-person social connection have coincided with major increases in anxiety and depression, as well as political polarization and pessimism about the future.
—Kim Samuel, Time, 14 May 2025
Minnesota’s odds of winning the series (-1000) are a sign of the pessimism around Curry’s injury status.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Despite these reasons for optimism, Lee noted that traders continue to show high levels of pessimism.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Tom Rogers, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025
There’s growing evidence that social media and the decline of in-person social connection have coincided with major increases in anxiety and depression, as well as political polarization and pessimism about the future.
—Kim Samuel, Time, 14 May 2025
Minnesota’s odds of winning the series (-1000) are a sign of the pessimism around Curry’s injury status.
—Dan Santaromita, New York Times, 12 May 2025
Despite these reasons for optimism, Lee noted that traders continue to show high levels of pessimism.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 12 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
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Though the film doesn’t have an outwardly strong political message, it’s set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, adding an extra layer of desperation to O’Connor’s character.—
Ellise Shafer,
Variety,
23 May 2025
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And to think, that breakout had come entirely out of desperation for pitching depth.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
22 May 2025
Noun
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Emond’s script deftly contrives a third act that’s hopeful but still flecked with genuine despair.—
Leslie Felperin,
HollywoodReporter,
20 May 2025
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But the despair from another losing fall subsided months ago, and winter, at last, has melted away.—
Matt Baker,
New York Times,
14 May 2025
Noun
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Long time residents throughout the Bay Area and beyond will recall the shock and sorrow of Nov. 27, 1978, when White walked into City Hall and shot Milk and Moscone.—
Georgia Rowe,
Mercury News,
28 May 2025
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In fact, research has found that some animal species may indeed use wit to strengthen their bonds in the same way that many have the capacity for love, fear, sorrow, guilt, anger, shame, disgust and empathy – and that primates smile and some rats can giggle.—
Cecilia Rodriguez,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Noun
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Boomer Blockade Despite the doom and gloom news cycle.—
Kian Bakhtiari,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
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Understandably, media companies don’t want to scare advertisers with lots of doom and gloom.—
Joe Otterson,
Variety,
20 May 2025
Noun
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The drug is believed to create more connections between brain cells, a process thought to ease depression and decrease suicidal thoughts, according to Mayo Clinic.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
25 May 2025
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The Pennsylvania Democrat was elected to his seat in November 2022, months after suffering a stroke, and later was checked into Walter Reed National Military Medical Center for treatment for depression in early 2023.—
Jack Birle,
The Washington Examiner,
24 May 2025
Noun
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Unlike the fresh vision of immigrant heritage in Hwang’s early, most affecting play, The Dance and the Railroad (1981), he now — at age 67 — twists that insight in a manner that fools Millennial audiences and the Broadway and television elite into feeling smart about their political cynicism.—
Armond White,
National Review,
21 May 2025
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From start to finish, Magic Mike XXL is an absolute joy—a film that boldly rejects toxic masculinity, that isn’t driven by rivalries or alpha dynamics or cynicism, that features men who build each other up, who cry together, who admit fears, who help each other accomplish their goals.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2025
Noun
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At the opposite end of the court, a thick layer of melancholy was present.—
Kelly Iko,
New York Times,
16 May 2025
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The far-reaching melancholy of musical theater has always been front and center in McAlpine’s work, which layers a lyricism of desire on top of string-heavy indie-pop arrangements.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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