What does "pessimize" mean?
To take a pessimistic view of; to speak of in a negative or pessimistic way.
Pessimize
/ˈpɛsɪmaɪz/ verb
verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: To take a pessimistic view of; to speak of in a negative or pessimistic way.
- Grammar: pessimize is listed as verb.
- Usage evidence: Mr. [Benjamin] Disraeli's Church appointments have been received with general satisfaction. There are two relations of the matter; the one as regards the prudence and astuteness of the dispenser of good things, and the other as relates to the general good and efficiency of the Church itself. It is equally possible to optimize and pessimize either aspect.
How to use "pessimize"
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Meaning check
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Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "pessimize" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
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Compare nearby meanings
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Definition decision workflow
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Definitions
Verb
- 1 To take a pessimistic view of; to speak of in a negative or pessimistic way. transitive
"Mr. [Benjamin] Disraeli's Church appointments have been received with general satisfaction. There are two relations of the matter; the one as regards the prudence and astuteness of the dispenser of good things, and the other as relates to the general good and efficiency of the Church itself. It is equally possible to optimize and pessimize either aspect."
- 2 To make (something) pessimal or the worst; (in a weaker sense) to make (something, such as a computer program) less efficient. transitive
"pessimizing compiler [...] A compiler that produces object [...] code that is worse than the straightforward or obvious hand translation. The implication is that the compiler is actually trying to optimize the program, but through excessive cleverness is doing the opposite. A few pessimizing compilers have been written on purpose, however, as pranks or burlesques."
- 3 To think like a pessimist; to believe the worst. intransitive
"The pessimising and desponding tone of the Tory Foreign Minister's correspondence, in the early part of 1859, can hardly be read without a shudder."
- 4 To become pessimal or the worst. intransitive
"Without an effort to integrate the various design disciplines, for instance, individual subsystems (such as the HVAC system) may be optimized, but the system as a whole may be "pessimized.""
Example
"Mr. [Benjamin] Disraeli's Church appointments have been received with general satisfaction. There are two relations of the matter; the one as regards the prudence and astuteness of the dispenser of good things, and the other as relates to the general good and efficiency of the Church itself. It is equally possible to optimize and pessimize either aspect."
Common questions
How do you use "pessimize" in a sentence?
Mr. [Benjamin] Disraeli's Church appointments have been received with general satisfaction. There are two relations of the matter; the one as regards the prudence and astuteness of the dispenser of good things, and the other as relates to the general good and efficiency of the Church itself. It is equally possible to optimize and pessimize either aspect.
How do you pronounce "pessimize"?
Pronounced /ˈpɛsɪmaɪz/.
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).