How to pronounce pessimize
Say it like PES-uh-myze. Pessimize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce pessimize. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PES
- uh
- myze
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Pessimize pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- myzeGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "i" in time.
American vs British pronunciation of pessimize
American and British speakers say pessimize in essentially the same way: /ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/ in the US and /ˈpɛsɪmaɪz/ in the UK.
British respelling: PES-ih-myze.
What does pessimize mean?
- To take a pessimistic view of; to speak of in a negative or pessimistic way.
- To make (something) pessimal or the worst; (in a weaker sense) to make (something, such as a computer program) less efficient.
- To think like a pessimist; to believe the worst.
Where does pessimize come from?
From Latin pessimus (“worst”) + -ize, modeled after optimize.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying pessimize
How do you pronounce pessimize?
Say PES-uh-myze. The American pronunciation is /ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/. In British English it is /ˈpɛsɪmaɪz/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in pessimize?
Pessimize has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PES). Broken into parts: PES · uh · myze.
Do Americans and Brits say pessimize the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈpɛsəˌmaɪz/ and the British form is /ˈpɛsɪmaɪz/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.