Synonyms for DESPERATE: hopeless, unhappy, sad, disappointed, despairing, cynical, despondent, heartbroken; Antonyms of DESPERATE: hopeful, optimistic, ecstatic, exuberant, exultant, euphoric, enraptured, merry. Synonyms for DESPERATION: despair, sadness, hopelessness, sorrow, depression, melancholy, agony, misery; Antonyms of DESPERATION: hope, hopefulness, optimism, cheerfulness, cheer, mirth, glee, joy Merriam-Webster Logo. Synonyms for DESPERATENESS: desperation, panic, anguish, distress, discomfort, fear, dismay, anxiety; Antonyms of DESPERATENESS: contentment, ease, peace, tranquillity, calmness, serenity, content, easiness. Find the right word fast with the only thesaurus that ranks synonyms in order of the best word choice for most uses. Make your writing more interesting, beautiful, and successful with the only thesaurus developed from Merriam-Webster dictionary. Synonyms for DESPAIRING: hopeless, cynical, desperate, pessimistic, bleak, depressing, discouraging, negative; Antonyms of DESPAIRING: hopeful, optimistic, upbeat, encouraging, rosy, promising, likely, bright. 11 sept. 2011 · On this page you'll find 168 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to desperate, such as: bold, dangerous, daring, determined, frantic, and frenzied. antonyms for desperate MOST RELEVANT afraid calm cowardly fearful meek mild moderate peaceful quiet shy timid weak content contented hopeful satisfactory satisfied secure unworried.