Pessimistic
Pessimistic adjective - Having or showing a deep distrust of human beings and their motives.
Usage example: pessimistic about the prospects for a lasting peace in the area
Skeptical and pessimistic are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Skeptical" instead an adjective "Pessimistic".
Skeptical
Skeptical adjective - Inclined to doubt or question claims.
Pessimistic and skeptical are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Pessimistic" instead an adjective "Skeptical".
Mutual synonyms
Related pairs
- scornful and pessimistic
- scornful and skeptical
- sarcastic and pessimistic
- sarcastic and skeptical
- derisive and pessimistic
- derisive and skeptical
- doubtful and pessimistic
- doubtful and skeptical
- bitter and pessimistic
- bitter and skeptical
- sardonic and pessimistic
- sardonic and skeptical
- ironic and pessimistic
- ironic and skeptical
Both words in one sentence
- As such his novels advocate a classical liberal position and was skeptical of revolutionaries and was basically pessimistic about society, human endeavour and life.
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A Goofy Movie has a scene where PJ, who is ordinarily shy except when alone with Max, pessimistic or at the very least skeptical, overly honest, very self-effacing, and a passive recipient of any and all friendly burdens in his friendship with Max acts weird in six different ways.
Source: Out-of-Character Moment
Cite this Source
Skeptical and Pessimistic. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 29, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/pessimistic/skeptical
Pessimistic & Skeptical. N.p., 2016. Web. 29 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/pessimistic/skeptical>.
Skeptical or Pessimistic. 2016. Accessed July 29, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/pessimistic/skeptical.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "pessimistic" and "skeptical" have occurred on timeline