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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hopeful
Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
New data showed manufacturing contracted this month, but less than expected, a hopeful indication that authorities may be coming to grips with industrial overcapacity.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Max Bultman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The conversation, held at the company’s showroom in Midtown Manhattan, brought together industry hopefuls with leaders on building emotional connection(s) with one’s clothing and how to preserve that value—both physically and psychologically.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
Families of the hostages are also cautious about being hopeful.
—Jessica Coacci, Fortune, 4 Oct. 2025
New data showed manufacturing contracted this month, but less than expected, a hopeful indication that authorities may be coming to grips with industrial overcapacity.
—Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
What about young change-of-scenery hopefuls Ian Mitchell or Jacob Bernard-Docker?
—Max Bultman, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
The conversation, held at the company’s showroom in Midtown Manhattan, brought together industry hopefuls with leaders on building emotional connection(s) with one’s clothing and how to preserve that value—both physically and psychologically.
—Alexandra Harrell, Sourcing Journal, 1 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
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With Knight looking sharp and stonewalling several promising scoring chances, Boqvist delivered his fourth game-winning goal since signing with the Panthers before last season and ninth of his career.—
Andre Fernandez,
Miami Herald,
8 Oct. 2025
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As part of his homework, Hanke provided a systemic analysis that narrowed a list of 239 potential candidates to the 50 most promising choices.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Beck’s chemistry with Daniels and Toney has been phenomenal most of the season, but Saturday’s performance was encouraging after the Hurricanes’ passing game struggled at home against Florida two weeks ago.—
Manny Navarro,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
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Fall has just begun and Lake Tahoe ski resorts may be 40 or 50 days away from opening, but winter showed encouraging signs on Friday.—
David Caraccio,
Sacbee.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As part of his homework, Hanke provided a systemic analysis that narrowed a list of 239 potential candidates to the 50 most promising choices.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
8 Oct. 2025
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He is considered a leading candidate.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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That kind of novel feels a little too optimistic about the outcome of this kind of research.—
Lauren Michele Jackson,
New Yorker,
5 Oct. 2025
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Advertisement Svetlana’s optimistic pretend normalcy and Lyudmila’s practical approach to medication point to impossibility of fathoming the many crushing consequences of the Ukraine crisis.—
Nina Khrushcheva,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Conditions are favorable for the development of weak, brief funnel clouds.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Oct. 2025
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Its surveys vary in their findings across time and can be either favorable or unfavorable to the government.—
Nina Khrushcheva,
Time,
3 Oct. 2025
Noun
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There are a few bags that stand out as favorites among flight crews, and one of the leading contenders is majorly discounted at Amazon right now.—
Olivia Young,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Oct. 2025
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The 32-year-old would be a helpful third-line pickup for a playoff contender as a rental.—
Fluto Shinzawa,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rooms around her, their doors still painted bright yellow from when the hotel was a boutique property, started to empty out.—
Ashley Hiruko,
ProPublica,
6 Oct. 2025
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The future is bright for this organization.—
Zack Rosenblatt,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The four pillars of happy, Nordic companies that Autio highlights—autonomy, low power distance, work-life balance and collaboration—come as a package.—
Adam Gale,
Fortune,
9 Oct. 2025
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One suggests Candy may not have been entirely happy with the script and was reluctant to even make it.—
Simon Bland,
IndieWire,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
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