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
Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The webinar is designed to help families and caregivers understand the risks of lead exposure and learn practical steps to protect young children and expectant parents, the release said.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 16 July 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
Jackie and Shadow, the two viral bald eagles who call Southern California their home, are once again expectant parents.
—Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 27 Jan. 2026
The webinar is designed to help families and caregivers understand the risks of lead exposure and learn practical steps to protect young children and expectant parents, the release said.
—Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 23 Jan. 2026
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 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
-
Few restaurateurs appear eager to be that pioneer; Whalen’s group isn’t looking to open anything there.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the newest member of the Columbus Zoo family will need to wait a bit longer.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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His wife was pregnant with their second child.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Several days later, his pregnant wife, Ruth, throws their toddler into the car and drops off the ransom, and Carl is returned home, more or less whole but emotionally damaged beyond repair.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Stand With Crypto, the advocacy group that helped shepherd pro-cryptocurrency candidates into Congress last election cycle, is making its first foray into this year’s midterms.—
Eleanor Mueller,
semafor.com,
26 Mar. 2026
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There are 10 candidates in the contest, eight Democrats and two Republicans.—
Barnini Chakraborty,
The Washington Examiner,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
But the senior royals of today still keep a watchful eye on their guests.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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Sign-toting protesters walked down Colorado Boulevard under the watchful eye of Pasadena police officers on motorcycles.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The 75th running of the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park on Saturday was a razor’s-edge outcome, a thrilling battle involving several of the top Kentucky Derby hopefuls in the country.—
Clark Spencer,
Miami Herald,
29 Mar. 2026
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The crop’s pull extends to the highest levels of national politics — presidential hopefuls have made a point of visiting Meru to publicly declare their support for the trade, with pledges to open new markets, defend growers, and confront foreign bans.—
Joseph Maina,
semafor.com,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Organizers said sign-ups have been especially enthusiastic in suburban areas with high-profile congressional races like Scottsdale, Arizona; Langhorne, Pennsylvania; East Cobb, Georgia; and here in northern New Jersey’s 11th district, which holds a special election April 7.—
Steve Peoples,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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So enthusiastic that they were invited back to perform at the 2025 MusicCares, which honored the Grateful Dead.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The goal is to generate a manageable but strong pool of applicants, not an overwhelming volume that slows you down.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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Not all applicants will qualify for the lowest rate.—
Jasmin Suknanan,
CNBC,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Room counts are low, anticipatory service is high, and above all else, each is set in a remarkable location and designed in a way that highlights its surroundings.—
Jake Emen,
Robb Report,
22 Jan. 2026
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One aspect of the case that Keating finds curious is the Rose Bowl’s claim of anticipatory breach given that UCLA has not played a home game anywhere else for more than four decades.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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