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
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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