expectantly

adverb

Definition of expectantlynext
as in confidently

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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 expectantly Miami-Dade’s Saturday rain showers could not damper the spirit and energy of dozens of Haitians, Haitian Americans and soccer fans crowded together waving flags, beaming expectantly at North Miami’s Moca Plaza to meet players on the Haitian National Football Team. — Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 30 May 2026 Now the cows are waiting expectantly outside the milking parlor, where Archie is clattering about to set up the milking machine. — Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026 The anniversary celebration was capped by a performance from Paul McCartney, another flourish in a production designed to project confidence in the path forward as Wall Street waits expectantly for Apple's AI comeback. — Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 4 Apr. 2026 The children waited expectantly. — Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 13 Feb. 2026 Gilberg considered the question, hands clasped beneath his chin, the traffic outside humming expectantly. — Los Angeles Times, 13 Jan. 2026 Inside, guests are greeted by the cozy tavern, a cocktail of rustic Adirondack style and modern trappings—the tables adorned in their nightly best, expectantly awaiting patrons. — Lauren Breedlove, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026 Now Ronny looked up at her expectantly. — Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025 In the clip, Blakely can be seen looking off camera expectantly, evidently aware something is happening. — Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectantly
  1. confidently
  2. positively
  3. joyfully
  4. joyously
  5. giddily
  6. exuberantly
Adverb
  • In some markets, decisions were made quickly and confidently.
    — Jorge Couto, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026
  • Putin and his Kremlin oligarchs have confidently anticipated a crumbling of Western assistance for Ukraine.
    — Ihor N. Stelmach, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026
Definition of confidently
Adverb
  • The future of the microcollege movement remains uncertain, but alumni like Coyne believe their own futures have been positively shaped by the experience.
    — Kerry McDonald, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • Tillis, who spent much of his time at the hearing complaining about the Biden administration, seemed positively inclined toward Blanche.
    — Quinta Jurecic, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026
Definition of positively
Adverb
  • Ron Seman was known as the master of the Indiana Dunes trails, spending years joyfully guiding thousands of people on journeys through its natural wonders.
    — Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
  • Uruguay, for their part, joyfully celebrated becoming the second team, after Italy, to win the World Cup twice.
    — Will Jeanes, New York Times, 20 June 2026
Definition of joyfully
Adverb
  • But those scenes of coming together joyously around this team, this diverse team, this remarkable team from all points, [Folarin] Balogun himself a birthright citizen leading this.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 17 July 2026
  • At the same time, the episode still leaves space for slower beats, including some joyously non-essential downtime moments.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 14 July 2026
Definition of joyously
Adverb
  • There was the viral pleasure and even pride in seeing foreigners encounter Buc-ee’s with reverential appreciation or giddily experience industrial quantities of Mountain Dew Baja Blast at Taco Bell.
    — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 8 July 2026
  • Early in the second inning Wednesday afternoon, Nasim Nuñez smiled, hopping giddily.
    — Noah White, Washington Post, 1 July 2026
Definition of giddily
Adverb
  • Most shave ice syrups tend to be exuberantly, artificially colorful.
    — Anne Ewbank, Sacbee.com, 10 July 2026
  • Bond traders have not reacted as exuberantly to the news of the Iran détente as oil traders have.
    — Rachel Barber, USA Today, 17 June 2026
Definition of exuberantly

Browse Nearby Words

expectant
expectantly
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Cite this Entry

“Expectantly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectantly. Accessed 23 Jul. 2026.

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