PESSIMISTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does pessimistic mean? 

• PESSIMISTIC (adjective)
  The adjective PESSIMISTIC has 1 sense:

1. expecting the worst possible outcome

  Familiarity information: PESSIMISTIC used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PESSIMISTIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Expecting the worst possible outcome

Similar:

bearish (expecting prices to fall)

demoralised; demoralized; discouraged; disheartened (made less hopeful or enthusiastic)

Also:

hopeless (without hope because there seems to be no possibility of comfort or success)

negative (characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features)

Antonym:

optimistic (expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds)

Derivation:

pessimism (a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst in all things)

pessimism (the feeling that things will turn out badly)

 Context examples 

He was evidently in a pessimistic mood.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

And I could see Charley Furuseth, as I had said good-bye to him that morning, lounging in a dressing-gown on the be-pillowed window couch and delivering himself of oracular and pessimistic epigrams.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)