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
Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
The prospects look hopeful, as Martin Scorsese is set to receive a lifetime achievement award, his first ever visit to the festival.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 5 June 2025
Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
Typically many hopefuls either cheered or were on dance teams in college.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
While investors are hopeful for a soft landing for the U.S. economy, what could happen if another recession occurs?
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
The prospects look hopeful, as Martin Scorsese is set to receive a lifetime achievement award, his first ever visit to the festival.
—John Bleasdale, Variety, 5 June 2025
Noun
Two mayoral hopefuls — state lawmakers Zohran Mamdani and Zellnor Myrie — had been scheduled to do school visits this month as part of their bids for the United Federation of Teachers’ backing in June’s Democratic primary, according to sources familiar with the matter.
—Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 15 May 2025
Typically many hopefuls either cheered or were on dance teams in college.
—Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 9 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
-
The most promising opportunities often lie at the intersection of significant pain and institutional blindness—where inefficiency has been accepted as inevitable.—
AllBusiness,
Forbes.com,
13 June 2025
-
As of now, the seemingly inevitable mass adoption of electrification has yet to live up to the hype, internal-combustion engines continue firing on all cylinders, and hybrid technology appears to be the most promising path ahead.—
Robert Ross,
Robb Report,
11 June 2025
Adjective
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This direct and encouraging approach can counteract any hesitancy stemming from a lack of confidence and empower women to embrace competitive opportunities.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
8 June 2025
-
And he was forever struck by the example of Peter’s family encouraging and challenging him — an approach that enabled Peter to work and ski and fish and live what Reid described as a normal life.—
Vahe Gregorian,
Kansas City Star,
6 June 2025
Noun
-
Since talent drives success, leaders must pair strong interviews with candidate assessments.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
That represents a huge decline from 2008, the climax of the Barack Obama coalition, when the Democratic candidate won 62% of the young male vote against GOP challenger John McCain.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
Marketers are preparing to take the next leap forward with AI. Boston Consulting Group’s annual survey of marketers found that 71% of CMOs plan to invest more than $10 million annually in generative AI over the next three years, and 83% are optimistic about the technology.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes.com,
4 June 2025
-
Woodson left Las Vegas optimistic about the conversation.—
Eric Jackson,
Sportico.com,
3 June 2025
Adjective
-
Bubic relied on his fastball more to get in favorable counts before mixing the rest of his pitching arsenal.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
3 June 2025
-
Prior to the tariff announcements, the economic backdrop was relatively favorable—inflation had been gradually easing toward the Fed’s 2% target, and unemployment was low.—
Magdy Hassan Fayed,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
Noun
-
The secondary is something of a question mark for a Rams team that is regarded as a potential Super Bowl contender. June 13, 2025 After finishing 10-7 and advancing to the NFC divisional round last season, the Rams neither signed a cornerback during free agency nor drafted one.—
Gary Klein,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
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In order to be considered for sainthood, a contender needs to have two miracles attributed to them.—
Michael Nied,
People.com,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
While times are tough for recent college grads, the future looks bright for those with experience-building apprenticeships - especially in some trade roles where AI isn’t a threat.—
Chris Westfall,
Forbes.com,
2 June 2025
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For the second time time in less than two weeks, Detroit was forced to send one its brightest young starting pitchers to the injured list.—
Jon Vankin,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 June 2025
Adjective
-
What if starlets like Spears were not happy collaborators in a patriarchal order but scapegoats who had been exploited for profit, pushed to the brink by an insatiable audience, and forced to bear the misogynistic projections of an entire country?—
Dayna Tortorici,
New Yorker,
9 June 2025
-
When a match goes really well — i.e. when the couple gets engaged, the ballyhooed happy ending of all romances, naturally — a bar cart is rolled out and all the young matchmakers gather around each other and cheer for their good fortune, and for the seeming success of love itself.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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