Basic Details
Word: Pessimistic
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Having a negative outlook and expecting the worst outcome in situations.
Synonyms: Cynical, negative, gloomy
Antonyms: Optimistic, positive, hopeful
Idioms and Phrases
- Glass half empty: Refers to a pessimistic view of a situation. Example: "She always sees the glass half empty, worrying about what could go wrong."
- Look on the dark side: To focus on the negatives rather than the positives. Example: "He tends to look on the dark side, even on the brightest days."
Usage Examples
Example 1: Despite the team's efforts, John remained pessimistic about their chances of winning the competition.
Example 2: Sarah's pessimistic attitude made it hard for her friends to stay positive during tough times.
Example 3: It’s important to balance a realistic outlook with hope, rather than being overly pessimistic.
Fun Fact
The word "pessimism" comes from the Latin word "pessimus," which means "the worst." This reflects the belief of pessimists that things are likely to turn out poorly.
Famous Quote
"Pessimism never won any battle." Dwight D. Eisenhower
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "pessimistic" mean?
a) Expecting the best outcomes
b) Having a negative outlook
c) Being cheerful
d) Focusing only on facts
Answer: b) Having a negative outlook
2. Which of these is a synonym of "pessimistic"?
a) Joyful
b) Cynical
c) Excited
d) Hopeful
Answer: b) Cynical
3. Which word is an antonym of "pessimistic"?
a) Gloomy
b) Negative
c) Optimistic
d) Miserable
Answer: c) Optimistic
4. How is "pessimistic" used correctly in a sentence?
a) She was pessimistic about the concert being fun.
b) He is a very pessimistic musician.
c) They had a pessimistic time at the party.
d) The weather was pessimistic today.
Answer: a) She was pessimistic about the concert being fun.
5. Which idiom refers to looking at the negatives in a situation?
a) Glass half empty
b) When pigs fly
c) Jump on the bandwagon
d) A picture is worth a thousand words
Answer: a) Glass half empty
