What Do You Call a Person Who Always Thinks Negatively?

If you’re trying to figure out what to call a negative person using just one word, this article is here to help!

Below, you’ll find a list of great words and catchy phrases that describe a person who just can’t see the good in things. So, read on to find what you seek!

Words for a Person Who Always Thinks Negatively

  • Pessimist
  • Defeatist
  • Killjoy
  • Cynic
  • Critic
  • Alarmist
  • Wet blanket
  • Bummer
  • Mope
  • Spoilsport
  • Complainer
  • Fatalist
  • Party pooper
  • Prophet of doom
  • Negative Nelly
  • Debbie downer

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • You can call someone a “pessimist” if they always see the negative side of things.
  • A “defeatist” is someone who always assumes that things will end in failure.
  • If someone brings other people down with their negativity, you can call them a “killjoy.”

Before you go! We still need to unpack our choice of synonyms for someone who always thinks negatively in more detail.

Thereafter, we’ll provide a few example sentences using each.

Pessimist

“Pessimist” is a good word to describe a person who tends to see the downsides of everything. They are a glass-half-empty kind of person!

Firstly, Merriam-Webster defines a “pessimist” as “a person who is inclined to expect poor outcomes: someone who is given to pessimism.” Secondly, it defines “pessimism” as “the doctrine that evil overbalances happiness in life.”

It is clear from these definitions that a “pessimist” is someone who is always negative or has a very negative perception of the world. Pessimism tends to be linked to a philosophical belief that the world and people are more bad than good.

Therefore, not only does a pessimist only see the negatives in life, but they tend to think that reality is inherently negative!

Finally, let’s see a couple of example sentences making use of this phrase:

I love dad very much, but he is a bit of a pessimist and it’s honestly kind of a downer to talk to him.

Don’t be such a pessimist – things will work out if you maintain a positive attitude!

Defeatist

Another word for a negative person is “defeatist.”

According to Merriam-Webster, a “defeatist” is someone with “an attitude of accepting, expecting, or being resigned to defeat.”

In other words, a defeatist often assumes that anything they try will lead to failure. This can lead them to being demotivated and depressed. Essentially, a defeatist tends to feel hopeless and that nothing they do really matters.

It must be tricky to get yourself up and about when you feel like nothing you do makes a difference! Nonetheless, this makes “defeatist” a good word for someone who always thinks negatively.

So, let’s see how we might use this term in a couple of examples:

I’ve tried to encourage her, but she is an incorrigible defeatist and nothing can change her mind.

If you’re going to talk like a defeatist, you might as well quit now – we don’t have time to feel sorry for ourselves if we want to win the nationals.

Killjoy

If you’re wondering how to describe someone who always thinks negatively in more informal or casual circumstances, you could go with “killjoy.”

Merriam-Webster defines a “killjoy” as “one who spoils the pleasure of others.” It makes sense to call someone who always thinks negatively a “killjoy.” After all, it’s very difficult to enjoy yourself if you’re around someone who is always thinking about doom and gloom!

Thus, a negative thinker will often spoil another person’s good mood by bringing up everything wrong with the world.

Lastly, let’s see this phrase in action in a couple of examples:

Person 1: Have you heard about how destructive the tourism industry is for indigenous Hawaiians?

Person 2: Don’t be a killjoy, Kevin – we’re trying to enjoy our vacation. 

Not to be a killjoy, but your guests are littering those plastic cups all over the park.