pessimist

A pessimist is a person who tends to focus on negative aspects of situations and expects unfavorable outcomes. Pessimism can be a personality trait, a temporary mood, or a philosophical stance. The term derives from the Latin pessimus meaning "worst" and entered Western languages through French as pessimiste and English pessimist in the 18th–19th centuries. In everyday usage, a pessimist may anticipate failure, danger, or disappointment more readily than an optimist.

In psychology, pessimism is discussed as a cognitive style or temperament. It involves expecting negative outcomes and attributing them to enduring causes. Chronic pessimism correlates with higher incidence of depressive symptoms and lower coping efficacy, though occasional pessimistic thinking can be a realistic appraisal in some contexts.

In philosophy and literature, pessimism refers to a worldview that emphasizes suffering, meaninglessness, or the limits of human agency. Notable thinkers associated with pessimism include Arthur Schopenhauer, who argued that life contains pervasive suffering. In modern usage, terms such as defensive pessimism describe a strategy of anticipating obstacles to manage anxiety.

Pessimism is distinct from cynicism or nihilism, though they may overlap. It is also distinguished from skepticism, which questions beliefs rather than assuming negative outcomes. The term is used descriptively and critically, sometimes as a normative judgment about outlooks toward life, policy, or social issues.