What is the opposite of “hopefulness”?

What is the antonym of “hopefulness”?

The antonyms of hopefulness are pessimism, despair, and hopelessness. These words convey a negative or bleak outlook on life, implying a lack of hope, optimism, or confidence.

Brief Definitions of the Antonym(s)

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

pessimism

A tendency to see the worst aspect of things or believe that the worst will happen.

Example

Her pessimism made her doubt her ability to succeed in life.

despair

The complete loss or absence of hope.

Example

After losing his job, he fell into a state of despair and stopped looking for new opportunities.

hopelessness

The feeling or state of having no hope; despair.

Example

The refugees felt a sense of hopelessness as they struggled to find a safe place to live.

How are these antonyms different from each other?

• 1. Pessimism is a tendency to see the worst in things and expect negative outcomes.
• 2. Despair is a complete loss of hope and a feeling of helplessness.
• 3. Hopelessness is a sense of having no hope or possibility of improvement.

Good things to know

• 1. Express Emotions: Use these antonyms to describe feelings of negativity or hopelessness.
• 2. Discuss Attitudes: Incorporate these words in conversations about outlooks on life and attitudes towards challenges.
• 3. Explore Themes: Utilize these antonyms in literature or media analysis to explore themes of hope and despair.

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Remember this!

The antonyms of hopefulness are pessimism, despair, and hopelessness. These words convey different degrees of negativity and lack of hope. Use them to express emotions, discuss attitudes, and explore themes in literature or media.