pessimize

[ pes-uh-mahyz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

pessimized, pessimizing.

to make less good, efficient, fast, functional, etc., especially in the context of computers or information technology:
Optimizing components in isolation tends to pessimize the whole system—and hence the bottom line. Adding this feature pessimized the run time by 13 percent.

verb (used without object)

pessimized, pessimizing.

to be pessimistic or utter pessimistic views about something:
He pessimized loud and long over alleged rising crime rates.

Discover More

Other Word Forms

��·��·��·��·�پ��ǲ� [pes-, uh, -mi-, zey, -sh, uh, n], noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of pessimize¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from Latin pessim(um) “worst” + -ize ( def ), modeled on optimize ( def )

Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

These words are the obvious Latin-based antonyms for `optimal' and `optimize', but for some reason they do not appear in most English dictionaries, although `pessimize' is listed in the OED. :pessimizing compiler: /pes'*-mi:z`ing k*m-pi:l'r/ /n./

From

These words are the obvious Latin-based antonyms for `optimal' and `optimize', but for some reason they do not appear in most English dictionaries, although `pessimize' is listed in the OED.

From

pessimistic Pessoa

Browse