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pessimistic

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌpɛsəˈmɪstɪk/ · UK /ˌpesɪˈmɪstɪk/

pessimistic means: Expecting bad things to happen or believing that things will go badly.

adjective

EXPECTING THE WORSTB2

Expecting bad things to happen or believing that things will go badly.

  • He is pessimistic about the future.
  • Her letter sounded unusually pessimistic.
  • Why are you so pessimistic about our chances?

How to use it: pessimistic about something (She is pessimistic about finding a new job.)

Similar words: negative, gloomy

Opposites: optimistic

Common phrases: pessimistic about something, pessimistic outlook, pessimistic view

WORST CASEC1

Based on the least favourable result that could reasonably happen.

  • The pessimistic estimate puts repairs at six months.
  • Even our pessimistic forecast predicts some growth.
  • They used pessimistic assumptions when calculating future costs.

Similar words: worst-case

Opposites: optimistic

Common phrases: pessimistic estimate, pessimistic scenario, pessimistic forecast

LOCKING DATAC2

Keeping other programs from changing data while one program is using or changing it.

  • The database uses pessimistic locking.
  • Pessimistic concurrency prevents two transactions from changing the same record together.
  • They switched to a pessimistic approach after repeated update conflicts.

Opposites: optimistic

Common phrases: pessimistic locking, pessimistic concurrency

Questions about pessimistic

What does pessimistic mean?

Expecting bad things to happen or believing that things will go badly.

What is pessimistic in other languages?

Türkçe: karamsar · Español: pesimista · Français: pessimiste · Deutsch: pessimistisch · Italiano: pessimista · 日本語: 悲観的な

How do you pronounce pessimistic?

In American English /ˌpɛsəˈmɪstɪk/; in British English /ˌpesɪˈmɪstɪk/.

How do you use pessimistic in a sentence?

He is pessimistic about the future. Her letter sounded unusually pessimistic.

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pessimistic in other languages

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