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
That feature allows expectant parents to include costly essentials on their registries without asking one person to cover the full price. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 22 July 2026 Like most expectant parents, Briana Faucette heard the typical warnings about sleepless nights. — Roni Robbins, AJC.com, 20 July 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
  • Ambitious mukbang-ers eager to prove their gastronomic stamina descended on Red Lobster locations across the country to consume absurd quantities of shrimp.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
  • The two southern battlegrounds were initially top targets of both political parties, but now appear to be slipping away from Republicans as Democrats grow eager about their chances.
    — Halle Troadec, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of eager
Adjective
  • Ryan was more than eight months pregnant at the time, and Linton is also charged with killing her fetus.
    — James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • Less than a year after her son’s birth, Dowling tried to get pregnant again, opting for the same add-ons as before—with no luck.
    — Jackie Flynn Mogensen, Scientific American, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of pregnant
Noun
  • Both Abelian and non-Abelian candidate states can produce quasiparticles with e/4 charge, so charge measurements alone cannot distinguish between them.
    — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Ahead of the election, The Star reached out to both candidates to get their stances on Amendment 6, which was placed on the ballot by a campaign called Respect MO Voters.
    — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026
Definition of candidate
Adjective
  • Corie Walsh, 40, the Illinois mother accused of killing her 2-year-old son Barrett, entered a not guilty plea under the watchful eye of her husband, whom she is accused of attempting to poison.
    — Kelsie Cairns, FOXNews.com, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Keep a watchful eye out for these unwanted visitors and, if needed, use an organic soap spray to manage their spread.
    — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2026
Definition of watchful
Noun
  • Toronto leadoff hitter Brett Bateman reached base and scored three times, twice knocked in by Nathan Lukes, and the Blue Jays beat the AL West-leading Texas Rangers 7-2 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep in the matchup of playoff hopefuls.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2026
  • The three-hour long finale saw hopefuls Jordan McCullough, Hannah Harper, and Keyla Richardson compete for the final spot.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026
Definition of hopeful
Adjective
  • With such a formidable roster, Team USA should provide enough star power to fill the arena during weigh-ins, Forte said, adding that large, enthusiastic crowds will impress the IOC.
    — Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 27 Sep. 2026
  • China’s leader, Xi Jinping, has been enthusiastic about AI advances, but his speech at the 2026 World AI Conference in Shanghai urgently expressed the need for strong AI regulations and oversight.
    — Stephen Collins, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Noun
  • The applicants had wanted to hold the march in the afternoon with 60 participants.
    — Amanda Ferguson Reuters, Arkansas Online, 26 Sep. 2026
  • Advocates say that could create problems, especially for new applicants to the joint state-federal health insurance program for lower-income people.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of applicant
Adjective
  • Young is making quick decisions and firing a lot of anticipatory balls before his receivers are even out of their cuts.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Instead of requiring you to check it, the interface becomes conversational and anticipatory.
    — Antoine Sallis, Forbes.com, 23 Sep. 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 3 Oct. 2026.

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