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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hopeful
Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2025
When, during the hopeful years of the Oslo Accords, Shimon Peres used that phrase, he was mocked for his naïveté.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2025
This story of a logger (Joel Edgerton) working in the mountainous West as early-20th-century progress rolls over him like a wonder and a curse is the one movie in the streamer’s roster of Oscars hopefuls that people seem actually to love.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
Despite the current situation, Holloway sounded hopeful that the need of the Compassion Center can be met.
—Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2025
When, during the hopeful years of the Oslo Accords, Shimon Peres used that phrase, he was mocked for his naïveté.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2025
Noun
That’s what six City Council hopefuls sought to answer at a busy forum Tuesday night, where roughly 150 residents gathered to meet the individuals running for two open seats at the helm of the city.
—Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 17 Oct. 2025
This story of a logger (Joel Edgerton) working in the mountainous West as early-20th-century progress rolls over him like a wonder and a curse is the one movie in the streamer’s roster of Oscars hopefuls that people seem actually to love.
—Joe Reid, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
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More promising still is Dell’s use of Salesforce’s AI agents to automate parts of its supply chain, including onboarding new suppliers, which has cut its average onboarding time from months to days.—
Jeremy Kahn,
Fortune,
21 Oct. 2025
-
While the New York Giants haven't played well over the past few years, there have been some promising signs over the past few weeks.—
Jon Conahan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Considering the Rangers’ depth issues over the last few years, that’s a very encouraging start.—
Sean Gentille,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Doe cited the statewide population growth as one of several encouraging data points.—
Clara Hendrickson,
Freep.com,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Fifteen percent were undecided or backing another candidate.—
Eduardo Cuevas,
USA Today,
21 Oct. 2025
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For physicians, our pipeline starts with medical students, continues through residency and fellowship, and culminates in selecting top candidates as attending surgeons.—
Prof. Dr. med. Mazda Farshad,
MSNBC Newsweek,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Orenbuch is also optimistic that credit will continue to improve after Ally tightened its underwriting in early 2023.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
20 Oct. 2025
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The optimistic take on this Georgia team depends on the defense reverting to the program standard.—
Seth Emerson,
New York Times,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rutgers-Eagleton’s mid-October survey mirrored that trend, finding 42 percent of voters viewed Sherrill favorably and 45 percent unfavorably, while Ciattarelli’s numbers were 41 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Pics such as Gladiator and series including Game of Thrones have shot there, taking advantage of the favorable tax rebate system and production hubs.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The new product casts OpenAI as a contender in this generation’s brewing browser wars.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
22 Oct. 2025
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Since debuting at the Venice Film Festival, the film has been tapped as a major Oscar contender.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Choose from seven luxe shades, including a trendy chocolate brown, soothing sage green, and bright teal.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Oct. 2025
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It can be found just 5 degrees away from the bright star Segin in the constellation Cassiopeia — roughly the width of your three middle fingers held at arm's length — which can be found high above the northern horizon around midnight in October.—
Anthony Wood,
Space.com,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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In the photos, the couple can be seen smiling and lying on a bed of grass surrounded by an array of white florals, and celebrating their happy news with a sweet kiss and a bottle of champagne.—
Bailey Richards,
PEOPLE,
22 Oct. 2025
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So everyone is more or less happy.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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