Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

pessimize

/ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 0.00 in modern English

Syllables
pes-sim-ize
IPA
/ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/
22
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To take a pessimistic view of; to speak of in a negative or pessimistic way.

Transitive verb

verb

To make (something) pessimal or the worst; (in a weaker sense) to make (something, such as a computer program) less efficient.

Transitive verb

verb

To think like a pessimist; to believe the worst.

Intransitive verb

verb

To become pessimal or the worst.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

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).

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/
  • British English: /ˈpɛsɪmaɪz/

Usage

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Frequently Paired Words

Antonyms

Questions

How do you pronounce pessimize?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/.
What does pessimize mean?
To take a pessimistic view of; to speak of in a negative or pessimistic way.
Where does pessimize come from?
It is traced to Latin.

How to pronounce pessimize

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “pessimize”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “pessimize”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “pessimize” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.