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- Dictionarypessimism/ˈpɛsɪmɪz(ə)m/
noun
- 1. a tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen: "the dispute cast an air of deep pessimism over the future of the peace talks"
- 2. a belief that this world is as bad as it could be or that evil will ultimately prevail over good.
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The term pessimism derives from the Latin word pessimus, meaning 'the worst'. It was first used by Jesuit critics of Voltaire 's 1759 novel Candide, ou l'Optimisme. Voltaire was satirizing the philosophy of Leibniz who maintained that this was the 'best (optimum) of all possible worlds'. In their attacks on Voltaire, the Jesuits of the Revue de ...
PESSIMISM definition: 1. emphasizing or thinking of the bad part of a situation rather than the good part, or the feeling…. Learn more.
PESSIMISM meaning: 1. emphasizing or thinking of the bad part of a situation rather than the good part, or the feeling…. Learn more.
pessimism: 1 n a general disposition to look on the dark side and to expect the worst in all things Antonyms: optimism a general disposition to expect the best in all things Type of: disposition , temperament your usual mood n the feeling that things will turn out badly Antonyms: optimism the optimistic feeling that all is going to turn out ...
Pessimism definition: the tendency to see, anticipate, or emphasize only bad or undesirable outcomes, results, conditions, problems, etc.. See examples of PESSIMISM used in a sentence.
pessimism: [noun] an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, conditions, and possibilities or to expect the worst possible outcome.
3 meanings: 1. the tendency to expect the worst and see the worst in all things 2. the doctrine of the ultimate triumph of evil.... Click for more definitions.
pessimism (about/over something) a feeling that bad things will happen and that something will not be successful There is a mood of pessimism in the company about future job prospects. This widespread pessimism does not seem justified.
PESSIMISM definition: the belief that bad things will happen. Learn more.
Pessimism, an attitude of hopelessness toward life and toward existence, coupled with a vague general opinion that pain and evil predominate in the world. It is the antithesis of optimism, an attitude of general hopefulness, coupled with the view that there is a balance of good and pleasure in the world.
