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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
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Recent Examples of expectant
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Get comfortable with silence A moment of silence can feel like an eternity, especially when the mic is in your hands and a sea of expectant eyes are staring right at you.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Michael D. Snediker, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
In the end, this expectant father learned a valuable — and slightly embarrassing — lesson: sometimes, the best thing to say during a poignant moment is nothing at all.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectant
Adjective
For expectant parents, that can mean safer deliveries and more confident medical teams in the room.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 21 Mar. 2026
Advertisement Get comfortable with silence A moment of silence can feel like an eternity, especially when the mic is in your hands and a sea of expectant eyes are staring right at you.
—Angela Haupt, Time, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
Meniscus augur & hour of errors as the mercury rag spills its rings
from his last good pore, his teeth shaped in greenhouse suet or little
expectant pots of orchid balm in snow.
—Michael D. Snediker, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
In the end, this expectant father learned a valuable — and slightly embarrassing — lesson: sometimes, the best thing to say during a poignant moment is nothing at all.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectant
Adjective
-
Found in Paris’ buzzy Montmartre neighbourhood, the hideout still draws in fans of the movie eager to walk in Amélie’s footsteps.—
Connor Sturges,
Condé Nast Traveler,
21 Apr. 2026
-
When Ternus takes over as Apple’s CEO in September, investors will be eager for a return to the kind of bold, creative action that made Apple a design pioneer under Steve Jobs.—
Allison Morrow,
CNN Money,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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In the mid-seventies, Vince drove McMahon, who was pregnant with Stephanie, to a courthouse to declare bankruptcy.—
Zach Helfand,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Kim Il-hyeok’s wife, five months pregnant, reluctantly agreed to join.—
Mike Valerio,
CNN Money,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Steyer is among the candidates who will take part in a gubernatorial debate on Wednesday evening, to be shown on Nexstar stations and NewsNation.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The rise of Bernie Sanders’ preferred Senate candidate in Michigan is frustrating moderates, delighting progressives, and testing the sway of Democratic leaders in a race that will likely determine the party’s shot at a Senate majority.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
22 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Gallery guards keep a watchful eye on any verboten photo taking or loud conversation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The agency said drivers would need to be in the vehicle and keep a watchful eye on it.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Nearly all of the hopefuls have either expressed interest or have not shut down the idea about running for president.—
Hannah Demissie,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
After a record number of House members retired this year, many of those seats opened up for the first time in years, drawing dozens of Democratic hopefuls.—
Leah Askarinam,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
That’s puzzling because DeSantis has been an enthusiastic supporter of tax relief.—
ORLANDO SENTINEL AND MIAMI HERALD EDITORIAL BOARDS,
The Orlando Sentinel,
17 Apr. 2026
-
Defenseman Jacob Moverare was highlighted with the Daryl Evans Youth Hockey Service Award for his diligent and enthusiastic work with the Kings’ learn-to-play program.—
Andrew Knoll,
Daily News,
17 Apr. 2026
Noun
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And at least one program, the Genesis Mission, which aims to support fusion and other select technologies, will see its budget grow, Gil said, adding that the effort is expected to draw a record number of applicants when its first funding deadline closes this month.—
Tim McDonnell,
semafor.com,
21 Apr. 2026
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Waterman also said the number of applicants was slightly lower than previous years.—
Addison Wright,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Rodriguez is a smart, anticipatory playmaker whose best trait is seeing the game a beat ahead of everyone else.—
Eddie Brown,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 Apr. 2026
-
The anticipatory care was precise, discreet, and delightful.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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