SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
pessimism
noun
A tendency to expect unfavorable outcomes.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Expectation of bad outcomes
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topDefeatism adds readiness to accept failure; pessimism can coexist with determined action to prevent it.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See pessimism in use
The successful rehearsal dispelled the group's pessimism.
Another member's pessimism leads him to expect that the unfinished story will end badly for everyone, even before the final chapter is available.
Compare an alternative with the original word in each passage. Shared meanings do not make every pair interchangeable.
Synonym reference scope and sources
The groups distinguish the senses selected for this study entry. Closest synonyms and broader related expressions have separate labels. The listed sources support lexical selection; not every phrase is a direct quotation from a source.
How the synonym reference was prepared / WordNet 3.0 license