expectant 1 of 2

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

Relevance

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

expectant

2 of 2

noun

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
Myers takes what could easily become an underwhelming topic and elevates it to a song of yearning, expectant romance. Jessica Nicholson, Billboard, 18 Aug. 2025 In the second picture, the expectant parents shared a sweet kiss. Kayla Grant, People.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Noun
That was the conclusion reached following an experiment in which the brains of 20 expectant fathers were scanned before and after the birth of a baby, and then compared with the brains of 17 childless men. Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 2025 However, Reddit users were firmly on the expectant mom's side, noting that her mother-in-law's insistence on being included in the birth plans is steamrolling her wishes. Sara Belcher, People.com, 15 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for expectant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectant
Adjective
  • Employees are eager to experiment with AI tools, but unclear policies and a lack of training fuel secrecy instead of confidence.
    Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Wrapped in a bulky down jacket, Putin greeted residents eager to meet him.
    Yegor Mostovshikov, The Dial, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The case is interrupted as Lorraine is heavily pregnant with Judy and is induced into giving birth after a terrifying vision.
    Dani Di Placido, Forbes.com, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The condition develops before birth if a pregnant cat is exposed to the feline panleukopenia virus, leaving the kitten's cerebellum underdeveloped.
    Alice Gibbs, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • At least one former candidate – Kansas City attorney Stacy Lake, who lost to White in the Democratic primary for County Executive in 2022 – has announced plans to run at that point.
    Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
  • The Senate field has remained thin since liberal teacher Josh Weil bowed out earlier this summer, positioning Jenkins as the party’s most visible candidate so far.
    Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • An earnest and thoughtful executive with a warm, open demeanor, Pinault was seated at Monday’s interview under a large black-and-white painting of an owl, the mascot for Kering — and a metaphor for his watchful eyes on shifting consumer sentiment and economic fluctuations.
    Miles Socha, Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Williams said staff will be extra watchful as students process Wilson’s death.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Bassini has observed the circuit of influencers and hopefuls who try a more demanding don’t-you-know-who-I-am approach, only to see them get turned away unceremoniously each time.
    Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The conference wasn’t visited by any 2028 hopefuls, but the conversation is clearly about getting the non-MAGA party in line behind this.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • The opposition leader maintains close ties with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, one of the most enthusiastic proponents in the Cabinet of this particular naval buildup.
    Gisela Salim-Peyer, The Atlantic, 12 Sep. 2025
  • In the same piece from Heyman, Phillies president of baseball operations David Dombrowski gave an even more enthusiastic quote about a potential Schwarber reunion.
    Jackson Roberts, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • For applicants, this begins with ensuring current compliance by filing all required returns, paying any outstanding liabilities, and meeting foreign asset and accounts information reporting obligations.
    Virginia La Torre Jeker, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
  • The site is surrounded by commercial, residential and light industrial areas, according to the applicant’s submission.
    Taylor O'Connor, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Over the last half-billion years, squid, octopuses and their kin have evolved much like a fireworks display, with long, anticipatory pauses interspersed with intense, explosive changes.
    Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Instead of waiting for a complaint, an anticipatory agent acts first.
    Vikas Aron, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on expectant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!