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
The first shows affordability as Maryland’s top issue; the second reveals growing pessimism about the state’s direction.
—
Randy Altschuler, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2026
Democratic strategist Nina Smith, who worked on Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, given the pessimism about the war and the economy, the party must actively engage voters in every corner of the country.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2026
The only real variation is in the degree of that pessimism.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Remember Gavin Newsom's pessimism?
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Randy Altschuler, Baltimore Sun, 7 Apr. 2026
Democratic strategist Nina Smith, who worked on Buttigieg's 2020 presidential campaign, given the pessimism about the war and the economy, the party must actively engage voters in every corner of the country.
—Phillip M. Bailey, USA Today, 7 Apr. 2026
The only real variation is in the degree of that pessimism.
—Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 5 Apr. 2026
Remember Gavin Newsom's pessimism?
—Jon Wertheim, CBS News, 5 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for pessimism
Recent Examples of Synonyms for pessimism
Noun
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According to some experts, this paralyzing fear and desperation are factors that scammers exploit to put their criminal schemes into action.—
Albinson Linares,
NBC news,
26 Apr. 2026
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But her desperation seems exposed at Cupertino, too, where Little Tim mocks her for her dim suggestion that psychotherapists be deployed to the company’s Guangzhou factory to cool down a labor crisis.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The scene where Artax the horse gets stuck in the swamps of sadness?—
Redazione People,
Vanity Fair,
27 Apr. 2026
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Family members said it’s been a long road of frustration, agony and sadness watching Hitchcock’s death sentences get overturned three times amid the nearly a dozen appeals his attorneys have filed over the decades.—
Martin E. Comas,
The Orlando Sentinel,
25 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The play charts his despair and hope, as well as his unlikely romance with a prison volunteer (Tessa Thompson).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
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Denials, appeals and habeas corpus Juan and Donovan’s emotions swing wildly between hope and despair, depending on the day.—
Elizabeth Hernandez,
Denver Post,
26 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sorrow over the accident and announced monetary relief for the victims’ families.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
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Parents expressed sorrow at seeing a pillar of their children’s music journey gone too soon.—
David John Chávez,
Mercury News,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Hope springs eternal in Mamdaniland Despite all the doom and gloom in Mets Nation right now, there are still 140 games left to play in the regular season, a point Mamdani emphasized on Tuesday.—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
21 Apr. 2026
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And Sahm told Fortune the gloom isn’t just about this spring.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And some experience the emotional toll of a disability or chronic pain that can often lead to depression.—
Mike Flynn,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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That study, which included doses of magnesium to mitigate any cardiac issues, found significant improvements in depression and anxiety symptoms after treatment.—
Stephanie Pappas,
Scientific American,
24 Apr. 2026
Noun
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His contributions have been met with some cynicism.—
Sophie Austin,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
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In the face of oppression and cynicism, kindness and joy are revolutionary acts.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Still, the achievement carried a touch of melancholy for Lovell.—
Daniel I. Dorfman,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Apr. 2026
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But, but what is it rooted in as, Is the end is kind of the melancholy of the song.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Pessimism.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/pessimism. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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