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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expectant
Jackie Fortiér, NPR, 3 Dec. 2025
In the memo, the FDA calls for stricter requirements for approving vaccines for pregnant women, the Washington Post reported, a move that could affect both expectant parents and young babies.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2025
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
In an emergency appeal, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to let the policy go into effect for everyone other than the specific expectant parents named in the lawsuits or, at most, any member of the immigrant rights groups or residents of a state that challenged the policy.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectant
Adjective
His advice to expectant parents who are on the fence is to talk to their doctor about the shots.
—Jackie Fortiér, NPR, 3 Dec. 2025
In the memo, the FDA calls for stricter requirements for approving vaccines for pregnant women, the Washington Post reported, a move that could affect both expectant parents and young babies.
—Tanya Lewis, Scientific American, 1 Dec. 2025
Noun
The post begins with a snap of the smiling expectant parents holding the model’s still-tiny bump, and includes a clip from their ultrasound, as well as a sonogram itself, memes and moments from their relationship.
—Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 July 2025
In an emergency appeal, the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to let the policy go into effect for everyone other than the specific expectant parents named in the lawsuits or, at most, any member of the immigrant rights groups or residents of a state that challenged the policy.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectant
Adjective
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Anya’s friends were the ones headed for the East Coast, some even to Ivy League schools, eager to leave behind the frivolity of Los Angeles.—
Nell Freudenberger,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
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The success of similar downtown projects like 70 Vestry, 140 Jane and 150 Charles have also made buyers more eager to sign contracts.—
Kim Velsey,
Curbed,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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The actress became pregnant with their first child while filming season 3 of The Rookie, and instead of strategically concealing her pregnancy to play Angela, creator Alexi Hawley simply wrote it into Diaz's character's storyline.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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In the fine print of its overhauled recommendations, the CDC suggests an initial RSV dose for infants under 8 months if their mothers did not get an RSV shot while pregnant, and a second dose for children with underlying issues like chronic lung disease.—
Aria Bendix,
NBC news,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Caretaker Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani's list of candidates won the largest share of seats in November's parliamentary elections.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
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Even if Maliki is ultimately dropped, Iran will simply nominate another candidate who is secretly acceptable to Washington.—
Benjamin Weinthal,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
This network, which has grown since the summer, keeps a watchful eye.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Keep a watchful eye on the vehicle’s tires.—
Jim Gorzelany,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
With the Academy Award nominations announced two days ago, some of the Oscar hopefuls are bound to take victory laps at the couture shows this week in Paris.—
Irene Kim,
Vogue,
24 Jan. 2026
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However, Macuga, who suffered a torn ACL in late November, will not be able to compete at this year’s Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, where she had been considered a medal hopeful in downhill and super-G.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Obermann is especially enthusiastic about the color for a child’s bathroom.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
29 Jan. 2026
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Selig’s comments received an enthusiastic response from the Coalition for Prediction Markets.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In California alone, nearly a third of all community college applicants in 2024 were identified as fraudulent, according to the California Community Colleges, the state's administrative body for the community college system.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
28 Jan. 2026
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McAuliffe was selected from thousands of applicants representing every state.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
28 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But anticipatory stress is just one of the possible reasons behind these perpetual feelings of sadness during the holidays.—
Caitlin Pagán,
Verywell Health,
18 Dec. 2025
-
Didion’s book illuminated anticipatory grief and gave me language for my experience.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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