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The pessimistic player thought the team would lose before the game began.
What does Pessimistic mean?
Pessimistic means expecting that things may go badly.
Dictionary definition
Expecting that things may go badly.
Example sentences
Pessimistic in a sentence
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Pessimistic
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does pessimistic mean?
Pessimistic means expecting that things may go badly.
Practice 2
Which word is closest in meaning to pessimistic?
Negative is close in meaning to pessimistic in this context.
Practice 3
Which sentence best shows someone feeling pessimistic?
This sentence gives clues that show the meaning of pessimistic.
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Pessimistic
Voice settings
Sounds like
pes · uh · mis · tik · strongest beat: mis
Tap each sound part, then blend the whole word together.
Learn
WordPessimistic.
Partadjective.
MeaningPessimistic means expecting that things may go badly.
ExampleExample: The pessimistic player thought the team would lose before the game began.
Word breakdown
4 syllables. Say each part, then blend the word.
- Syllables
- pes · uh · mis · tik
- Strongest beat
- mis
- Ending
- tik
- Tip
- Put a little extra energy on mis.
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Synonyms
Words like Pessimistic
negativeUse when someone expects a bad result.
Antonyms
Opposite words
optimisticUse when someone expects a good result.
Synonym practice
Want to practice pessimistic synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The pessimistic player expected the plan to fail," then compare close word choices. Practice pessimistic synonyms.
Word family
Pessimistic word family
Base word
pessimism
adverb
pessimistically
In a way that expects things to go badly.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Pessimistic
Hint for students
Look for clues that show expecting a bad outcome.
Common mix-up
Pessimistic does not mean realistic every time; it means expecting the worst.
Try it in class or at home
Read the model sentence and underline the clue words that show the feeling or trait. Then write a new sentence that shows pessimistic without using the word pessimistic.
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The pessimistic player thought the team would lose before the game began." What clues show what pessimistic means?
Word category
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Learning activities
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