Word for a person with a negative attitude
What is the person called who always thinks negative? E.g.
- Mr. X always thinks negative.
- Mr. X has negative attitude.
What we can use either? Is there any particular word for this?
Solution 1:
The word is pessimist, a person who expects the worst.
Mr X is a pessimist.
Contrast with optimist.
It is often said that while optimists are happier, pessimists are more often correct.
and
Optimists are said to live longer than pessimists, though a pessimist might say those extra few years are bound to be miserable.
Solution 2:
There are a lot of colloquialisms and other terms that mean the same thing:
"Mr. X is a ..."
- Negative Nancy
- Downer
- Drag
- Debbie Downer
- Naysayer
- Prophet of doom
- Doomsayer
- Futilitarian
Solution 3:
Alternatives for consideration:
- Cynic
- Defeatist
Solution 4:
'Mr X Thinks negatively' is correct.
However, 'Mr X is a pessimist' is more grammatically sound.
Solution 5:
I've always enjoyed slang expressions like "Mr Unhappy is a real stick in the mud" (i.e. won't participate) and similar expressions like curmudgeon or party pooper. They have slightly different connotations than always thinking negatively, but I think the mindset would have the be similar to support them.