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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of expectant
Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Jackie and Shadow, the two viral bald eagles who call Southern California their home, are once again expectant parents.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
In the end, this expectant father learned a valuable — and slightly embarrassing — lesson: sometimes, the best thing to say during a poignant moment is nothing at all.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectant
Adjective
The expectant parents and the officers spoke different languages, so the officers used Google Translate and hand motions to communicate with the woman in the backseat of the car during the entire delivery, per the outlet.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Jackie and Shadow, the two viral bald eagles who call Southern California their home, are once again expectant parents.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
Noun
The post begins with a snap of the smiling expectant parents holding the model’s still-tiny bump, and includes a clip from their ultrasound, as well as a sonogram itself, memes and moments from their relationship.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
In the end, this expectant father learned a valuable — and slightly embarrassing — lesson: sometimes, the best thing to say during a poignant moment is nothing at all.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectant
Adjective
-
But Pineda brings the matter up many times, and is eager to defend himself.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
31 Mar. 2026
-
With Archer’s amicable exit, the Princess of Wales is eager for the focus to be on her work rather than her outfits.—
Laura Scafati,
Vanity Fair,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The MorphoScan is even missing a couple of quality-of-life features present on the Etekcity scale, including a safe mode for pregnant women and pacemaker users that disables the BIA electrical current for weight-only measurements.—
Andrew Gebhart,
PC Magazine,
5 Apr. 2026
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They were later identified as 25-year-old Jennifer Alejandra Loera-Zarco, a pregnant woman, and her 26-year-old boyfriend, Marc Anthony Trejo Saldivar, according to the LA County DA's Office.—
Dean Fioresi,
CBS News,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Four candidates vying for the 11th Congressional seat made their best pitch.—
Andrea Nakano,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Dem gubernatorial candidate racked up eye-popping travel bill as AG while out of state.—
,
FOXNews.com,
1 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Fueled on coffee and with breaks for lunch and dinner, the two men signed more than 15,000, maybe even upwards of 20,000 comics, in a span of four days under the watchful eyes of reps for a signing and grading company charged with handling the comics.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Apr. 2026
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The trials find Foundayo to be very safe, but Drucker notes that people should continue to keep a watchful eye on any new drug.—
Lauren J. Young,
Scientific American,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Change-minded hopefuls, about 42% of the total, are mostly women and people with low incomes.—
George E. Mitchell,
The Conversation,
3 Apr. 2026
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Victoria's Secret Fashion Show open casting information Applications for the open casting call are set to open Monday, April 6, and fashion-forward hopefuls can expect more details to drop then.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Harmony and an enthusiastic attitude between soldiers are preferred and essential, especially in combat.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The clips have accumulated millions of views and many enthusiastic comments from Western audiences.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Of the fifty or so applicants, Freitas recalls at least two getting rejected.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
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The applicant also included a follow-up email explaining the scope of the work and requesting payment within 14 days.—
Darlin Tillery,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The anticipatory care was precise, discreet, and delightful.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
-
Room counts are low, anticipatory service is high, and above all else, each is set in a remarkable location and designed in a way that highlights its surroundings.—
Jake Emen,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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