Crossword Genius

Pessimistic, say, in local (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

negative

'pessimistic' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)

'say in local' is the wordplay.
'say' becomes 'eg' (both can mean 'for example').
'in' is an insertion indicator.
'local' becomes 'native' (relating to a particular area).
'eg' put inside 'native' is 'NEGATIVE'.

(Other definitions for negative that I've seen before include "Film with images reversed" , "Film showing black and white tones reversed" , "Reply of denial" , "thumbs down" , "Opposite of affirmative" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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