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Definition of pessimistic - 2 dictionary results

pes⋅si⋅mis⋅tic

  [pes-uh-mis-tik]
Use pessimistic in a Sentence
–adjective
pertaining to or characterized by pessimism; gloomy: a pessimistic outlook.
Origin:
1865–70; pessimist + -ic

Related forms:
pes⋅si⋅mis⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb

Synonyms:
despairing, hopeless. See cynical.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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pes·si·mism   (pěs'ə-mĭz'əm)   
n.  

  1. A tendency to stress the negative or unfavorable or to take the gloomiest possible view: "We have seen too much defeatism, too much pessimism, too much of a negative approach" (Margo Jones).

  2. The doctrine or belief that this is the worst of all possible worlds and that all things ultimately tend toward evil.

  3. The doctrine or belief that the evil in the world outweighs the good.


[French pessimisme (on the model of optimisme, optimism), from Latin pessimus, worst; see ped- in Indo-European roots.]
pes'si·mist n., pes'si·mis'tic adj., pes'si·mis'ti·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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