antioptimistic
|an-ti-op-ti-mis-tic|
🇺🇸
/ˌæn.ti.ɑp.təˈmɪs.tɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌæn.ti.ɒp.tɪˈmɪs.tɪk/
against optimism
Etymology
'antioptimistic' is a modern English formation combining the prefix 'anti-' and the adjective 'optimistic'. 'Anti-' originates from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against', and 'optimistic' derives from 'optimism' (French 'optimisme') ultimately from Latin 'optimus' meaning 'best'.
'antioptimistic' arose in contemporary English by affixing Greek-derived 'anti-' to the adjective 'optimistic' (itself from French 'optimisme' and Latin 'optimus'). The compound is therefore a recent lexical creation rather than a word with deep historical attestations.
The elements originally meant 'against' (anti-) and 'best' (optimus). 'Optimistic' came to mean 'hopeful about the best outcome'; the compound 'antioptimistic' therefore evolved to mean 'against or rejecting optimism'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the state or attitude of being antioptimistic; opposition to optimism or optimistic claims (derived from the adjective 'antioptimistic').
After several failures, a wave of antioptimism spread through the project team.
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Noun 2
a person who is antioptimistic; someone who habitually rejects or criticizes optimistic views (derived from the adjective 'antioptimistic').
He's regarded as an antioptimist in policy discussions because he always points out the risks.
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Adjective 1
characterized by opposition to optimism; expressing doubt, rejection, or criticism of optimistic outlooks or predictions.
Her antioptimistic remarks made the committee rethink the expected timeline.
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Adverb 1
in an antioptimistic manner; expressing opposition to optimism when speaking or acting (derived from the adjective 'antioptimistic').
They spoke antioptimistically about the venture's chances of success.
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Last updated: 2025/09/05 16:02