SYNONYMS AND RELATED EXPRESSIONS
pessimistic
adjective
Expecting unfavorable outcomes or emphasizing the negative side of a situation.
Local English device voice, when available. This is not a recorded dictionary pronunciation.
Expecting unfavorable outcomes
Closest synonyms
Related words and expressions
These extend or explain the idea and may require a different sentence structure.
Usage distinction
Return to topPessimistic concerns unfavorable expectations. Defeatist adds readiness to give up, while despondent describes low spirits that may accompany either outlook.
CHECK THE MEANING IN CONTEXT
See pessimistic in use
The pessimistic forecast made the group prepare an alternative plan.
A pessimistic teammate expected a disappointing response but still practiced and prepared a shorter version in case the room felt restless.
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