pessimistisches

Pessimistisches is a form of the German adjective pessimistisch. It is the neuter singular form used when the adjective directly modifies a neuter noun without a determiner, as in pessimistisches Denken, meaning pessimistic thinking. It is not typically used as a standalone noun; the corresponding noun is Pessimismus.

In terms of declension, pessimistisches appears when the neuter noun is in a strong (unmarked) or mixed position. With a definite article, the phrase changes the ending: das pessimistische Denken (neuter, definite article). With an indefinite article or no article before a neuter noun, the form remains pessimistisches Denken, as in ein pessimistisches Denken. The feminine and plural forms follow other endings, for example pessimistische Haltung (feminine singular, no article) or pessimistische Haltungen (plural).

Semantically, pessimistisches functions as a descriptive modifier indicating a tendency toward pessimism. It is used across disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, literary criticism, and media to describe attitudes, perspectives, or worldviews. The term is closely related to, but distinct from, Pessimismus, which is the noun referring to the general philosophical or emotional stance of pessimism.

See also: Pessimismus, pessimistischer Ton, pessimistische Weltanschauung. The adjective form is common in discourse about mental attitudes, social outlooks, or evaluative descriptions of events, and its precise ending reflects the grammatical role of the noun it modifies.