Word
pessimism
Phoneticspes·simism
US/ˈpɛsəˌmɪzəm/
UK/pˈɛsɪmˌɪzəm/
Definitions
01negative outlook
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. a general feeling that bad things will happen or that a situation will not be successful.
n. a tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen; a lack of hope or confidence in the future.
Español:pesimismo
“Despite the bad news, he tried not to let his pessimism affect the rest of the team.”
“The prevailing economic pessimism has led many investors to withdraw their capital from emerging markets in favor of more stable assets.”
Synonyms
02philosophical doctrine
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic · Formal
n. the philosophical idea that this world is as bad as it can possibly be.
n. the doctrine that this world is the worst of all possible worlds, or that all things tend toward evil.
“In his essays, the writer explored a deep sense of philosophical pessimism regarding human nature.”
“Schopenhauer is perhaps the most famous proponent of philosophical pessimism, arguing that existence is inherently characterized by suffering.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03worst-case state
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Computing Technical
n. the state of being in the worst possible condition.
n. the condition of being pessimal or at the lowest possible point of efficiency or quality.
“The algorithm reached a state of pessimism where no further processing could improve the result.”
“Engineers analyzed the system's pessimism to determine why the software was performing at its theoretical minimum speed.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Real-World Examples
“This growing pessimism is consistent with an economic environment that remains challenging for consumers.” “It’s very different.”
Despite his pessimism over the state of Italian football, Balotelli, who earned 36 caps for the Azzurri , scoring 14 goals, remains confident of a bright future.” Etymology
From French pessimisme, from Latin pessimus (“worst”) + -ism, superlative of malus (“bad”). As a doctrine, from German Pessimismus as used by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer in 1819.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/pessimism
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0