pessimism
noun/ˈpɛsɪmɪzəm/
Etymology From French pessimisme, from Latin pessimus (“worst”) + -ism, superlative of malus (“bad”). As a doctrine, from German Pessimismus as used by the German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer in 1819.
1
Usually A general belief that bad things will happen.
- T2 isn’t as good as T1: it is a little too long and unwinds a bit into caper sentimentality, broad comedy and self-mythologising. But it has the same punchy energy, the same defiant pessimism, and there’s nothing around like it. This sequel was a high-wire act, but Boyle has made it to the other side.2017 January 19, Peter Bradshaw, “T2 Trainspotting review – choose a sequel that doesn't disappoint”, in The Guardian:
2
Usually The doctrine that this world is the worst of all possible worlds.
3
Computing, Engineering, Mathematics, Natural sciences, Physical sciences, Sciences Usually The condition of being pessimal.
- Antonyms
- optimism
- Derived terms
- Afro-pessimism, cultural pessimism, cyberpessimism, ecopessimism, Europessimism, heteropessimism, Judeopessimism, overpessimism, technopessimism
- Related terms
- pessimist, pessimistic