pessimism
UK: ˈpes.ɪ.mɪ.zəm | US: ˈpes.ə.mɪ.zəm
n. a tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe the worst will happen
n. (Philosophy) the belief that this world is as bad as it could be
Derived from Latin pessimus (worst), combined with the suffix -ism (denoting a doctrine or belief). The term emerged in the 18th century as the philosophical opposite of optimism, reflecting a worldview emphasizing inherent negativity or inevitable suffering. The morpheme pess- preserves its Latin root meaning, while -ism systematizes it into a formal concept.
His constant pessimism made it difficult to motivate the team.
Pessimism about the economy led to reduced investments.
Some philosophers argue that pessimism is more realistic than optimism.
Her pessimism faded after seeing the project’s progress.
The novel’s tone leans toward existential pessimism.