Pessimistic vs Skeptical - What's the difference?
pessimistic | skeptical |
Marked by pessimism and little hopefulness; expecting the worst.
Pertaining to the worst-case scenario.
Having, or expressing doubt; questioning.
* {{quote-magazine, year=2012, month=March-April
, author=Colin Allen
, title=Do I See What You See?
, volume=100, issue=2, page=168
, magazine=(American Scientist)
Of or relating to skepticism or the skeptics.
As adjectives the difference between pessimistic and skeptical
is that pessimistic is marked by pessimism and little hopefulness; expecting the worst while skeptical is having, or expressing doubt; questioning.pessimistic
English
Adjective
(en adjective)- a pessimistic view of the future
- a pessimistic estimate
Antonyms
* optimisticskeptical
English
Alternative forms
* sceptical (British English)Adjective
(en adjective)citation, passage=Numerous experimental tests and other observations have been offered in favor of animal mind reading, and although many scientists are skeptical , others assert that humans are not the only species capable of representing what others do and don’t perceive and know.}}
- My teacher was skeptical when I told her my dog ate my homework.
- I can see why people are so skeptical [sic] about him, but I think he's on to something here. (regarded by organizations such as the
BBC
as an error)