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Definition of pessimist

pessimist

/ˈpɛs.ɪ.mɪst/
pes · si · mist
Adverb:pessimistically
•
Plural:pessimists
•
Adjective:pessimistic
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pessimist Lexical Profile

pessimist Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A person who habitually expects the worst to happen or focuses on the negative aspects of a situation.

Example

"Even when the project was ahead of schedule, the resident pessimist on the team warned that something would inevitably go wrong."

2

An adherent of the philosophical doctrine that reality is fundamentally flawed and that pain and evil outweigh happiness and good in the world.

Example

"As a philosophical pessimist, Arthur Schopenhauer argued that human desires are inherently insatiable and lead to perpetual suffering."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Nearby Words

pesky
peso
pessimism
pessimist
pessimistic
pessimistically
pest

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 18th century from French 'pessimiste', which was formed from the Latin superlative 'pessimus' ('worst') on the model of 'optimiste'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Pessimist. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/pessimist
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