expectant 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspek-tənt How to pronounce expectant (audio)
Definition of expectantnext
1
as in eager
having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something expectant crowds gathered at the spot where the President was scheduled to make an appearance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body a medication that should not be taken by expectant women without permission from their doctors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expectant

2 of 2

noun

as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award divinity students who were all expectants for a curacy

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of expectant
Adjective
By pairing digital manufacturer coupons with store promotional events, Wheeler shares that expectant parents can build a year’s supply across multiple sizes at 50% off before their baby even arrives. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 31 July 2026 That feature allows expectant parents to include costly essentials on their registries without asking one person to cover the full price. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 22 July 2026
Noun
But for the design-minded expectants, choosing items for the registry can feel like a compromise between function and aesthetics. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026 In another post, the expectant mom shared some behind-the-scenes footage from her maternity shoot. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for expectant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectant
  1. eager
  2. pregnant
  3. candidate
  4. watchful
  5. hopeful
  6. enthusiastic
  7. applicant
  8. anticipatory
Adjective
  • Trade labor unions eager for more construction work also backed him.
    — A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Like Dykes, Johnson had a lot of praise for Fifita and is eager to face one of the nation’s best passers.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of eager
Adjective
  • Thus, while treatment plans vary, most women with MBC face multiple barriers not only to becoming pregnant, but also to carrying a healthy baby to term.
    — Petra Guglielmetti, Glamour, 29 Oct. 2026
  • In August 2025, family and medical staff contacted Prosper police after learning the girl was pregnant.
    — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of pregnant
Noun
  • If El-Sayed loses, there will be a fight over blame between Democrats who spent tens of millions of dollars to support him and progressives who’ll argue that the party establishment can’t be trusted when leftist candidates win a nomination.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
  • John James and Mike Rogers, while both Republicans, are very different political candidates running markedly different campaigns against two very different opponents.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of candidate
Adjective
  • Blink Indoor Camera Deal Keep a watchful eye on your indoor spaces using the Blink Mini 2K+ Indoor Camera.
    — Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026
  • Moments of anonymity were few and far between for Taylor, who was also under the watchful eye of Larry during that time.
    — Angela Andaloro, PEOPLE, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of watchful
Noun
  • That revelation first took shape when Arnault arrived at the manufacture at age 20, where he was put through an internship program meant to introduce young watchmaking hopefuls to the various roles and departments of the business.
    — Paige Reddinger, Robb Report, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Children splashed in the fountain and played with a soccer ball as the mayoral hopeful introduced herself to voters.
    — Noah Goldberg, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of hopeful
Adjective
  • During the day, activities center around lectures, delivered by enthusiastic expedition team members.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2026
  • Six months later, management wonders why someone who was once among its most enthusiastic employees seems disengaged.
    — Jason Richmond, Forbes.com, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Noun
  • Nearly 8 in 10 first-year applicants for undergraduate admission to public and 7 in 10 to private colleges and universities get in, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, or NACAC, reports.
    — Jon Marcus, NPR, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The administration also has accused the UC Berkeley Law School and the medical school at the University of California, San Diego, of illegally discriminating against white and Asian applicants.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of applicant
Adjective
  • Despite the evidence, less than 1% of aid is invested in anticipatory action.
    — David Miliband, Time, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Young is making quick decisions and firing a lot of anticipatory balls before his receivers are even out of their cuts.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of anticipatory

Browse Nearby Words

expectancy
expectant
expectantly
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Cite this Entry

“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 6 Nov. 2026.

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