Standard Lemma guide

pessimize

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈpɛsɪmaɪz/
  • Received-Pronunciation: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/

1

verb

Meaning 1

To take a pessimistic view of; to speak of in a negative or pessimistic way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: optimize

2

verb

Meaning 2

To make (something) pessimal or the worst; (in a weaker sense) to make (something, such as a computer program) less efficient.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: optimize

3

verb

Meaning 3

To think like a pessimist; to believe the worst.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: optimize

4

verb

Meaning 4

To become pessimal or the worst.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: optimize

History

Etymology

From Latin pessimus (“worst”) + -ize, modelled after optimize. Pessimus is derived from Proto-Indo-European *ped-tm̥mó-s, from *ped- (“to step, walk; to fall, stumble”) + *-tm̥mó-s (superlative suffix).

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 消极化 — to take a pessimistic view of; to speak of in a pessimistic way
  • Chinese Mandarin: 劣化 (lièhuà) — to make (something) pessimal or the worst
  • Portuguese: pessimizar — to make (something) pessimal or the worst
  • Chinese Mandarin: 消极化 — to think like a pessimist
  • Chinese Mandarin: 劣化 (lièhuà) — to become pessimal or the worst