expectant 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspek-tənt How to pronounce expectant (audio)
Definition of expectantnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expectant

2 of 2

noun

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

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 expectant
Adjective
Trump’s order was immediately challenged through multiple lawsuits filed by expectant parents, immigrant rights groups and 22 state attorneys general. — Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 30 June 2026 Batches of limited stock sales will be allowed in the coming months, however, and some real estate agents and bankers are putting together workarounds to help expectant millionaires leverage their future gains to secure loans. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Noun
But for the design-minded expectants, choosing items for the registry can feel like a compromise between function and aesthetics. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026 In another post, the expectant mom shared some behind-the-scenes footage from her maternity shoot. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for expectant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectant
  1. eager
  2. pregnant
  3. candidate
  4. watchful
  5. hopeful
  6. enthusiastic
  7. applicant
  8. anticipatory
Adjective
  • The firms most eager to deploy physical AI (logistics, retail, construction) are often precisely the ones without that safety-governance heritage, which is where the governance gap is widest.
    — Anjana Susarla, Forbes.com, 9 July 2026
  • And there have been signs over the past month that Trump is reengaging in efforts to bring peace to Ukraine and once again eager to coordinate a deal between Zelenskyy and Putin.
    — Elise Spenner, ABC News, 8 July 2026
Definition of eager
Adjective
  • Jula married within the Roma community, has had two children and is pregnant with an unwanted third.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 11 July 2026
  • Like Tubbs, Ferguson was new to the city, having only recently settled there after the better part of a year spent hitching trains with his pregnant girlfriend.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of pregnant
Noun
  • Under the current system, office holders targeted in a recall are barred from being a candidate to replace themselves in that same election.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • So did former Gwinnett County School Board Chairman Everton Blair, the only candidate who ran for a full term to also qualify in the special election.
    — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of candidate
Adjective
  • Harry and Meghan attended the queen's funeral, under the glare of the ever watchful British tabloids.
    — Jennifer Hassan, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Wildlife enthusiasts find a different rhythm through AmaWaterways’ Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises, one that trades itinerary sprinting for long, watchful hours on the water.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026
Definition of watchful
Noun
  • Maine Democrats are seeking a new nominee, and several hopefuls have already begun jockeying for position.
    — Meg Kinnard, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2026
  • The move was designed to better accommodate promotional campaign schedules for Emmy hopefuls.
    — Naomi Jeffries, HollywoodReporter, 8 July 2026
Definition of hopeful
Adjective
  • China, the world's top crude importer, has not been particularly enthusiastic about purchasing Iranian oil, despite traditionally being the main buyer of the country's energy.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • None of these kids sits at the top of the Australian rankings, but behind them is a team of enthusiastic parents who formed a non-profit – Red Dirt Australian Rodeo – to raise money for the trip.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Noun
  • The American Film Institute is now accepting applicants for its storied AFI DWW+ program for the class of 2028, as IndieWire exclusively shares.
    — Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 13 July 2026
  • The agency will use the system to verify that an applicant doesn’t hold a REAL ID in a different state — a check that’s required by federal law.
    — Haley Parsley, Sacbee.com, 13 July 2026
Definition of applicant
Adjective
  • Ultimately, anticipatory anxiety should be a catalyst for becoming more adaptable and intentional in developing valuable human qualities, regardless of technological advancements.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Now, researchers have discovered that this anticipatory activation is powered by pockets of glycogen in POMC neurons.
    — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 12 June 2026
Definition of anticipatory

Browse Nearby Words

expectancy
expectant
expectantly
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Cite this Entry

“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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