Pessimistically: meaning, definitions and examples

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pessimistically

 

[ ˌpesɪˈmɪstɪk(ə)li ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

in a negative or gloomy way

Pessimistically is an adverb that describes the attitude or outlook of someone who always expects the worst possible outcome. It is the opposite of optimism and reflects a belief that things will not turn out well.

Synonyms

cynically, gloomily, negatively.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
pessimistically

Use this word when describing someone's general belief that bad things will happen or that a situation will not improve.

  • She looked at the economic forecast pessimistically, convinced that a recession was inevitable
negatively

This word is appropriate when referring to a general attitude or reaction that is unfavorable or critical. It can be used in a broad range of contexts.

  • He reacted negatively to the feedback, refusing to see any merit in the suggestions
gloomily

This word should be used when describing a mood or atmosphere that feels dark, depressing, or hopeless. It can refer to both internal feelings and external environments.

  • The sky was overcast, and she walked home gloomily, feeling the weight of her worries
cynically

This word is best used when describing someone who believes that people are motivated purely by self-interest. It often has a negative connotation.

  • He spoke cynically about the charity event, suggesting that it was organized just for tax benefits

Examples of usage

  • He viewed the situation pessimistically, convinced that failure was inevitable.
  • She approached the project pessimistically, doubting that it would be successful.

Translations

Translations of the word "pessimistically" in other languages:

🇵🇹 pessimisticamente

🇮🇳 निराशावादिता से

🇩🇪 pessimistisch

🇮🇩 dengan pesimistis

🇺🇦 песимістично

🇵🇱 pesymistycznie

🇯🇵 悲観的に

🇫🇷 pessimiste

🇪🇸 pesimistamente

🇹🇷 kötümser bir şekilde

🇰🇷 비관적으로

🇸🇦 بتشاؤم

🇨🇿 pesimisticky

🇸🇰 pesimisticky

🇨🇳 悲观地

🇸🇮 pesimistično

🇮🇸 svartsýn

🇰🇿 пессимистік

🇬🇪 პესიმისტურად

🇦🇿 bədbinliklə

🇲🇽 pesimistamente

Etymology

The word 'pessimistically' is derived from the adjective 'pessimistic,' which originates from the Latin word 'pessimus,' meaning 'worst.' The suffix '-ly' is added to form the adverbial form. The concept of pessimism has roots in ancient philosophy, with thinkers like Schopenhauer and Nietzsche exploring the idea of a fundamentally negative view of the world.

See also: pessimistic.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #36,750, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.