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
-
His wife was pregnant with their second child.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Several days later, his pregnant wife, Ruth, throws their toddler into the car and drops off the ransom, and Carl is returned home, more or less whole but emotionally damaged beyond repair.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 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
-
But the senior royals of today still keep a watchful eye on their guests.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
-
Sign-toting protesters walked down Colorado Boulevard under the watchful eye of Pasadena police officers on motorcycles.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The 75th running of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday was a razor’s-edge outcome, a thrilling battle involving several of the top Kentucky Derby hopefuls in the country.—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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The crop’s pull extends to the highest levels of national politics — presidential hopefuls have made a point of visiting Meru to publicly declare their support for the trade, with pledges to open new markets, defend growers, and confront foreign bans.—
Joseph Maina,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 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
-
Of the fifty or so applicants, Freitas recalls at least two getting rejected.—
Albert Samaha,
New Yorker,
31 Mar. 2026
-
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
-
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
-
One aspect of the case that Keating finds curious is the Rose Bowl’s claim of anticipatory breach given that UCLA has not played a home game anywhere else for more than four decades.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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