pessimistic
gb/pˌɛsəmˈɪstɪk/ us/pˌɛsəmˈɪstɪk/
B2
Anglais
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B2
property
1
expecting a bad outcome
thinking that something will not go well
Schéma d’usage :
[someone] is pessimistic (about [something])
Erreur fréquente :
Learners often use the wrong preposition after it (usually pessimistic about, not pessimistic of).
Synonymes
negative (More general; not always about future outcomes.)
|
downbeat (Often about mood or tone; slightly informal.)
|
gloomy (Stronger and more emotional; can describe atmosphere or feelings.)
Antonymes
optimistic (Expecting a good outcome.)
|
hopeful (Focusing on reasons something may work out.)
Collocations
pessimistic about the future
|pessimistic about our chances
|pessimistic prediction
|pessimistic forecast
|pessimistic estimate
|pessimistic assessment
|pessimistic outlook
|pessimistic view
|pessimistic scenario
|pessimistic expectations
Thèmes
emotions
|attitudes
|daily_life
Exemples
- I’m pessimistic about the talks—both sides seem unwilling to compromise.
- Analysts are pessimistic that inflation will fall quickly.
- Don’t be so pessimistic; we still have time to fix it.
Exemples pédagogiques
- She is pessimistic about the exam.
- He feels pessimistic about the future.
adjective
B2
property
2
focusing on the negative
often seeing the bad side of things
Schéma d’usage :
a pessimistic [attitude/tone/view]
Erreur fréquente :
Pessimistic does not mean 'sad' or 'depressed' (though it can sound that way in context).
Synonymes
cynical (Suggests distrust of people’s motives, not just negative expectations.)
|
doom-and-gloom (Informal; emphasizes an overly negative style.)
Antonymes
positive (Emphasizing good aspects or possibilities.)
|
upbeat (Cheerful in tone; often about mood.)
Collocations
pessimistic attitude
|pessimistic tone
|pessimistic reaction
|pessimistic comment
|pessimistic perspective
|pessimistic mindset
|pessimistic take
|pessimistic account
|pessimistic interpretation
|a pessimistic way of thinking
Thèmes
emotions
|communication
|personality
Exemples
- His pessimistic tone made the team feel like the project was already failing.
- She gave a pessimistic assessment of the plan’s risks and costs.
- I don’t mind criticism, but the constant pessimistic comments are exhausting.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He has a pessimistic attitude.
- Her pessimistic tone worried me.
adjective
formal
C1
property
3
relating to pessimism as a belief
connected to the belief that things are generally bad
Schéma d’usage :
a pessimistic [philosophy/theory/view of human nature]
Erreur fréquente :
In this sense, pessimistic is about a general worldview, not just one situation.
Synonymes
bleak (Emphasizes harshness and lack of hope; broader than philosophical usage.)
Antonymes
idealistic (Believing in the possibility of improvement or perfection.)
|
optimistic (Believing good outcomes or progress are likely.)
Collocations
pessimistic philosophy
|pessimistic worldview
|pessimistic theory
|pessimistic view of human nature
|a pessimistic account of history
|pessimistic conclusion
Thèmes
philosophy
|beliefs
|education
Exemples
- The book offers a pessimistic view of human nature and political power.
- Some critics argue that the film’s message is deeply pessimistic.
- His pessimistic philosophy rejects the idea that society naturally gets better over time.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The story has a pessimistic message.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
pessimistic
API
GB/pˌɛsəmˈɪstɪk/
US/pˌɛsəmˈɪstɪk/
Syllabes et accentuation
pess - im - ist - ic (4 syllabes)
Stress on 3rd syllable (ist)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: pessimistic
Famille de mots
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
Expressions
a pessimistic outlook
1/ə pˌɛsəmˈɪstɪk ˈaʊtlˌʊk/
fixed phrase
general expectation of bad results
a general habit of expecting bad things
Exemples
- After the layoffs, many employees developed a pessimistic outlook.
- His pessimistic outlook makes it hard for him to take risks.
- The report paints a pessimistic outlook for the housing market.
a pessimistic view (of [something])
1/ə pˌɛsəmˈɪstɪk vjˈu əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
negative opinion about [something]
a negative way of thinking about something
Exemples
- She takes a pessimistic view of the company’s long-term prospects.
- That’s a pessimistic view of the situation—there are signs of progress too.
- He offered a pessimistic view of how soon peace could be achieved.
deeply pessimistic
1/dˈipli pˌɛsəmˈɪstɪk/
fixed phrase
very strongly expecting failure
very pessimistic
Exemples
- She’s deeply pessimistic about the chances of a quick solution.
- Voters are deeply pessimistic about the direction of the country.
- He became deeply pessimistic after years of failed reforms.
pessimistic about [something]
1/pˌɛsəmˈɪstɪk əbˈaʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
expecting [something] to go badly
thinking something will not go well
Exemples
- I’m pessimistic about our chances of winning.
- They’re pessimistic about how quickly the economy will recover.
- She sounded pessimistic about the project from the start.
pessimistic forecast
1/pˌɛsəmˈɪstɪk fˈɔɹkˌæst/
fixed phrase
prediction of bad results
a prediction that bad things will happen
Exemples
- The company issued a pessimistic forecast for the next quarter.
- Several banks released pessimistic forecasts for growth this year.
- Despite the pessimistic forecast, the market rose on the news.