pessimism

English translation unavailable for pessimism.

pessimism

pessimism [noun]

emphasizing or thinking of the bad part of a situation rather than the good part, or the feeling that bad things are more likely to happen than good things

US /ˈpes.ə.mɪ.zəm/ 
UK /ˈpes.ɪ.mɪ.zəm/ 
Example: 

There is now a mood of deepening pessimism  about/over  the economy.

Oxford Essential Dictionary

pessimism

 noun (no plural)
thinking that bad things will happen opposite optimism

>> pessimist noun:
Lisa's such a pessimist.
 opposite optimist

>> pessimistic adjective:
Don't be so pessimistic – of course it's not going to rain!
 opposite optimistic

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

pessimism

pessimism /ˈpesəmɪzəm, ˈpesɪmɪzəm/ BrE AmE noun [uncountable]
[Date: 1700-1800; Language: French; Origin: pessimisme, from Latin pessimus 'worst']
a tendency to believe that bad things will happen OPP optimism
pessimism about/over
There is deep pessimism about the future.

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

pessimism

pes·sim·ism   [ˈpesɪmɪzəm]    [ˈpesɪmɪzəm]  noun uncountable ~ (about/over sth)
a feeling that bad things will happen and that sth will not be successful; the tendency to have this feeling
There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects.
This widespread pessimism does not seem justified.
Opp:  optimism  
Word Origin:
[pessimism] late 18th cent.: from Latin pessimus ‘worst’, on the pattern of optimism.  
Example Bank:
He warned against the dangers of undue pessimism.
The article reflects the pessimism of its author.
• There were good grounds for pessimism about future progress.

• the widespread pessimism among young people today

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

pessimism     / pes.ɪ.mɪ.z ə m /   noun   [ U ]   
  
        emphasizing or thinking of the bad part of a situation rather than the good part, or the feeling that bad things are more likely to happen than good things:  
  There is now a mood of deepening pessimism  about/over  the economy. 
  An underlying pessimism infuses all her novels.   
 →  Opposite     optimism 
  
pessimist     / -mɪst /   noun   [ C ]   
      
  Don't be such a pessimist! 

 
© Cambridge University Press 2013

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

pessimism

[pe̱sɪmɪzəm]
 N-UNCOUNT: oft N about/over n
 Pessimism is the belief that bad things are going to happen.
  ...universal pessimism about the economy...
  My first reaction was one of deep pessimism.
 Ant:
 optimism

 

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary: 

pessimism

 

pes·si·mism /ˈpɛsəˌmɪzəm/ noun [noncount] : 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. [=she thinks the outcome will be bad]
• Although the economy shows signs of improving, a sense of pessimism remains.
• He expressed his pessimism about politics and politicians. [=his belief that politics and politicians are generally bad]
- opposite optimism

 

Subscribe to RSS - pessimism