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pessimism

KIRU

pessimism

Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling of "Pessimism"

IPA: /ˈpɛsɪmɪzəm/

Syllable Breakdown:

  • pes-

    • /p/ - Voiceless bilabial stop

    • /ɛ/ - Mid-front unrounded vowel

    • /s/ - Voiceless alveolar fricative

  • -si-

    • /ɪ/ - Near-close front unrounded vowel

    • /s/ - Voiceless alveolar fricative

  • -mism

    • /ɪ/ - Near-close front unrounded vowel

    • /z/ - Voiced alveolar fricative

    • /ə/ - Reduced vowel (schwa)

    • /m/ - Bilabial nasal

Word Form Variations

  • The word "pessimism" is already in its singular form. It does not have a plural form.

    However, there are related terms that might be useful:

    • Pessimist: A person who is pessimistic.

    • Pessimistic: Adjective describing someone who is pessimistic.

    • Pessimistically: Adverb describing a pessimistic manner.

Definitions, Synonyms, Antonyms

Noun

  • Definition: A tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that bad things will happen.

  • Synonyms: Gloom, despondency, cynicism, negativity

  • Antonyms: Optimism, hopefulness, cheerfulness

Adjective

  • Definition: Characterized by or inclined to pessimism.

  • Synonyms: Gloomy, despondent, cynical, negative

  • Antonyms: Optimistic, hopeful, cheerful

Adverb

  • Definition: In a pessimistic manner.

  • Synonyms: Gloomily, despondently, cynically, negatively

  • Antonyms: Optimistically, hopefully, cheerfully

Examples of Use

Books

  • "The world is full of pessimism and negativity, and it's easy to get caught up in it. But it's important to remember that there is always hope." (Unknown author)

  • "The novel is a bleak exploration of pessimism and despair, as the characters struggle to find meaning in a world devoid of hope." (From a review of "1984" by George Orwell)

Newspapers

  • "The article discusses the growing pessimism among investors in the stock market, as concerns about the economy continue to mount." (From a financial news article in The New York Times)

  • "The editorial criticizes the government's pessimistic outlook on the future, arguing that a more positive attitude is needed to address the country's challenges." (From an editorial in The Washington Post)

Online Publications

  • "A recent study found that social media can contribute to feelings of pessimism and loneliness among young people." (From an article on a health and wellness website)

  • "The blog post offers advice on how to overcome pessimism and cultivate a more positive mindset." (From a self-help blog)

Entertainment Mediums and Platforms

  • "The movie is a dark and gritty exploration of pessimism and nihilism, with characters who seem to have lost all hope for the future." (From a review of a film on Rotten Tomatoes)

  • "The song expresses feelings of pessimism and despair, with lyrics that lament the state of the world." (From a music review on Pitchfork)

General Public Discourse

  • "The political debate was filled with pessimism and negativity, as both candidates painted a bleak picture of the future." (From a news report on a political discussion)

  • "I'm feeling really pessimistic about the future of our planet, with all the environmental problems we're facing." (A personal statement from a concerned citizen)

10 Famous Quotes Using the term Pessimism

  1. "Pessimism is a luxury we cannot afford." - Henry Ford

  2. "The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty." - Winston Churchill  

  3. "Pessimism is a disease. Get rid of it." - Dale Carnegie 

  4. "Pessimism is a waste of time." - Arthur Schopenhauer 

  5. "The optimist sees the glass half full; the pessimist sees the glass half empty." - Unknown (Common proverb)

  6. "Pessimism is a self-fulfilling prophecy." - Unknown (Common saying)

  7. "Don't be a pessimist. It's a waste of time." - Unknown (Common saying)

  8. "Pessimism is a poison that can destroy your life." - Unknown (Common saying)

  9. "Pessimism is a choice." - Unknown (Common saying)

  10. "Pessimism is a luxury we cannot afford in a world full of challenges." - Original quote

Etymology

Pessimism comes from the Latin word "pessimus," which means "worst." It's basically the idea of always seeing the worst-case scenario or believing that bad things are more likely to happen than good ones.

The word "pessimism" first appeared in English in the 17th century. People started using it to describe the belief that the world is inherently bad or that things will generally go wrong.

Phrases + Idioms Containing the term Pessimism

While there aren't many common phrases or idioms that directly use the word "pessimism," here are some related expressions and idioms that convey a similar meaning:

Phrases

  • A glass half empty: This is a common metaphor for a pessimistic outlook, contrasting with an optimistic "glass half full" view.

  • Doom and gloom: This phrase refers to a pessimistic attitude or outlook, often associated with foreboding or despair.

  • A rainy day: This idiom can be used to describe a situation where things are going badly or a pessimistic outlook is warranted.

Idioms with Synonyms

  • To look on the dark side: This idiom means to see the negative or worst aspects of a situation.

  • To be a wet blanket: This idiom describes someone who is pessimistic or negative, often dampening enthusiasm or optimism.

  • To paint a bleak picture: This phrase means to describe a situation in a negative or pessimistic way.

Note: While "pessimism" itself isn't frequently used in idioms, these related expressions capture the essence of a pessimistic outlook.

Posts Related to Pessimism

Source Information

Definition of pessimism from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.