hopeful 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhōp-fəl How to pronounce hopeful (audio)
Definition of hopefulnext
1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope economists are offering a hopeful forecast for a healthy economy in the coming year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
pointing toward a happy outcome in a hopeful response to the ad, several people called to say they'd seen our lost cat

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hopeful

2 of 2

noun

as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV

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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 hopeful
Adjective
Though Stage 4 lung cancer carries a five-year survival rate of just 13 percent, Lin is hopeful. — Meeri Kim, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 Experts are hopeful that these drugs can fill a significant unmet medical need, as the FDA has not approved a new medication for alcohol use disorder in two decades. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 22 Oct. 2026
Noun
The Senate hopeful is looking to Obama in shoring up support for the traditionally Democratic demographic and broaden el Sayed’s coalition 10 days out from the midterm elections. — Carter Schroppe, The Washington Examiner, 24 Oct. 2026 Of course, the running back matchup is only one aspect of this fascinating matchup between two Super Bowl hopefuls. — Kansas City Star, 22 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
  1. promising
  2. encouraging
  3. candidate
  4. optimistic
  5. favorable
  6. contender
  7. bright
  8. happy
Adjective
  • Astronomers have cataloged more than 6,000 exoplanets and are examining the atmospheres of promising worlds for gases that could indicate biological activity.
    — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 3 Nov. 2026
  • The doubleheader at PeoplesBank Arena showed off the UConn programs in a most promising light.
    — Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • Ultimately, Brown said the survey findings may be encouraging for the broader retail scene this holiday season.
    — Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2026
  • That’s encouraging, but don’t forget how the Maverick was supposed to start under $20,000.
    — Adam Ismail, The Drive, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of encouraging
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
  • Robert Hughson is feeling optimistic that the river that's formed in front of his house will go away.
    — Chelsea Jones, CBS News, 5 Nov. 2026
  • This year looks especially optimistic for the wardrobe essential, as people are preferring whimsical motifs, colors, and cuts over a simple crewneck or cardigan.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of optimistic
Adjective
  • In neighboring Cabarrus County, Democrats headed into Election Day hoping to build on their early voting turnout advantage and ride the winds of a favorable national environment.
    — Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Music blared from a stage outside as supporters watched results from races across the country come in on a large screen, cheering at favorable results.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of favorable
Noun
  • For much of the rest of his career, as senator and as a contender for the GOP presidential nomination in 1920 and 1924, Johnson tried to pull his party back to its skepticism of monopolistic riches, but never could.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026
  • The film is among the Oscar contenders this year including best actor for Pascal, and with the strong reviews, perhaps even best picture.
    — Clayton Davis, Variety, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of contender
Adjective
  • An exuberant pre-dawn sky — filled with large, bright stars, a luminous crescent moon, and blue and white swirls — dominates the landscape featuring a prominent cypress tree and distant hillside village.
    — Amarachi Orie, CNN Money, 24 Oct. 2026
  • But the only picture mode that comes close to being that bright also has a notably green bias and ramps up the fan noise to a level that almost anyone will consider intolerable.
    — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • These days, netizens are happy to objectify men and christen a new internet boyfriend every week.
    — José Criales-Unzueta, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Dining options are flexible and staff are happy to help tailor stays to younger guests where possible.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Nov. 2026
Definition of happy

Browse Nearby Words

hope (for)
hopeful
hopefully
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Cite this Entry

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

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