hopeful

adjective

hope·ful | \ ˈhōp-fəl

Definition of hopeful

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : having qualities which inspire hope hopeful signs of economic recovery

2 : full of hope : inclined to hope

hopeful

noun

Definition of hopeful (Entry 2 of 2)

: aspirant Olympic hopefuls

Other Words from hopeful Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about hopeful

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of hopeful in a Sentence

Adjective

The mood is sad rather than hopeful. He was hopeful that things would get better soon. I still feel hopeful about the future. She is hopeful of winning the race. a hopeful tone of voice There are hopeful signs that the crisis may end soon. The movie has a hopeful ending. Investigators report that there have been some hopeful developments in the case.

Noun

the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective

Some Poles are hopeful the outside pressure will influence PiS – but not Gersdorf. — Kristen Chick, The Christian Science Monitor, "By staying on the job, Poland's top judge fights the right-wing government," 13 July 2018 Since 1995, Planet Hockey has provided international tours to more than 4,000 hopeful players, coaches and family members. — Alvaro Montano, Houston Chronicle, "Planet Hockey offers young players chance to improve skill set at Willowbrook camp," 11 July 2018 Nobody expected England to go this far before the start of the tournament, with getting out of the group and winning just one knockout game the extent of even the most hopeful expectations. — Jamie Spencer, Pro Soccer USA, "World Cup preview Croatia vs England: Head to Head, Team News, Prediction & More," 11 July 2018 Oswego Senior Center officials are hopeful that the plan to convert the old Traughber Junior High School into senior housing and to maintain the senior center currently at the site will be approved. — Linda Girardi, Aurora Beacon-News, "Oswego Senior Center official hopeful plans for old school site will allow center to stay put," 11 July 2018 Loaded: 0% Progress: 0% 0:00 / 1:06 Marlins fans trying to stay hopeful amid offseason overhaul Advertisement The Marlins held their annual FanFest Saturday to kick off events leading up to the 2018 season. — Clark Spencer, miamiherald, "This ex-Marlin went from the basement to the penthouse in six months time," 9 July 2018 The Heat will play at least two more games after Tuesday in the event's tournament bracket, with Jones hopeful of an opportunity to further build on his summer success. — Ira Winderman, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Bam Adebayo's current challenge? Be the Udonis Haslem of summer league," 9 July 2018 Yet there was a hopeful mood when VW launched its operations in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, on June 27th. — The Economist, "VW opens Rwanda’s first car-assembly plant," 28 June 2018 That was Marco Gutierrez, founder of—please stay with me—Latinos for Trump, on MSNBC in September 2016, spouting what will go down as one of the most unintentionally hopeful campaign promises ever made. — Mike Sula, Chicago Reader, "Chicago's taco game is strong: these 3 spots prove the taqueria, if nothing else, abides," 27 June 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

One new hopeful: The young man with the deep voice and no experience in organized basketball. — Gregg Doyel, Indianapolis Star, "Doyel: So you want to be a pro basketball player... got $100?," 9 July 2018 The Democrats just have two gubernatorial hopefuls -- Drew Edmondson and Connie Johnson. — CBS News, "Primaries in 7 states tonight — live updates," 26 June 2018 Two Orlando hopefuls -- hula hooper Jenny Klimantova and fire breather Nathan Spare -- advanced in an episode last week. — Hal Boedeker, OrlandoSentinel.com, "'America's Got Talent': Orlando dancer wows," 20 June 2018 Several Michigan gubernatorial hopefuls also denounced him Friday. — Washington Post, "Michigan State trustees call for school president to resign," 15 June 2018 Astronaut hopefuls The Netflix documentary Mercury 13 explores the story of the female pilots who, after taking various examinations, were not allowed to go to space, with NASA deciding to stick with male astronauts instead. — Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, "Top Picks: 'The Insult' on DVD and Blu-ray, the Netflix documentary 'Mercury 13,' and more top picks," 25 May 2018 Flameaway was among several hopefuls who put in their final pre-Derby workouts Saturday at Churchill. — Jason Frakes, The Courier-Journal, "With 'a little luck,' Flameaway could give trainer Mark Casse first Kentucky Derby victory," 28 Apr. 2018 So to keep their Tour hopefuls on the bike and out of trouble, teams take exceptional measures, even if the stage only amounts to just 1/21 of the race. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, "The Biggest Booby-Trap at the Tour de France: Cobblestone Roads," 13 July 2018 The outlook is less certain for a Xavier University player to be taken this year, but both UC and XU have multiple NBA hopefuls on the eve of the two-round 2018 draft. — Tom Groeschen, Cincinnati.com, "NBA Draft: Projecting where Cincinnati Bearcats, Xavier Musketeers players may be selected," 20 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hopeful.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.