Hopeful, a. — Webster enters it under “hopeful”
1. Full of hope, or agreeable expectation; inclined to hope; expectant. Men of their own natural inclination hopeful and strongly conceited. Hooker.
2. Having qualities which excite hope; affording promise of good or of success; as, a hopeful youth; a hopeful prospect. "Hopeful scholars." Addison. -- Hope"ful*ly, adv. -- Hope"ful*ness, n.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists hopefulness only as an antonym, under despair.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given