English Explanatory Dictionary

pessimize

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To take a pessimistic view of; to speak of in a negative or pessimistic way.
  2. To make (something) pessimal or the worst; (in a weaker sense) to make (something, such as a computer program) less efficient.
  3. To think like a pessimist; to believe the worst.
  4. To become pessimal or the worst.

Pronunciation

/ˈpɛsɪmaɪz/ En-uk-pessimize.ogg /ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/

Word forms

pessimize pessimizes pessimizing pessimized pessimise

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).

Antonyms

optimize

Related words

pessimal pessimism pessimist pessimistic pessimistical pessimistically pessimum unpessimistic

Derived words

pessimization
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