hopeful 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhōp-fəl How to pronounce hopeful (audio)
Definition of hopefulnext
1
as in promising
having qualities which inspire hope economists are offering a hopeful forecast for a healthy economy in the coming year

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in encouraging
pointing toward a happy outcome in a hopeful response to the ad, several people called to say they'd seen our lost cat

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

hopeful

2 of 2

noun

as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV

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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 hopeful
Adjective
Both experienced growing pains playing as rookies, and the Dolphins are hopeful that the investment made last season will speed up their development in 2026. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 2 July 2026 In Dearborn, Michigan, Nabeel Mawari, 38, sounded a more hopeful note. — ABC News, 2 July 2026
Noun
His bid has splintered Trump-backing Republicans, who question his experience and Duffy’s influence, as rivals include former Iran hostage Kevin Hermening, business executive Jessi Ebben and other local hopefuls. — Scott Bauer, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026 For Johnathon, every ride is preparation for his first taste of US competition with nine other young Australian hopefuls, who are flying to Texas for the Youth Bull Riders World Finals this July. — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
  1. promising
  2. encouraging
  3. candidate
  4. optimistic
  5. favorable
  6. contender
  7. bright
  8. happy
Adjective
  • One promising sign is how billionaire investor Warren Buffett is handling his philanthropy.
    — Thomas Adam, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
  • Julian Evans-Pritchard, head of China economics at Capital Economics, wrote Wednesday that while growth has long been expected to slow, the recent economic data held some promising signs of stabilizing consumer activity.
    — Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • Perhaps the most encouraging figure came outside the trophy end of the market.
    — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026
  • This is an encouraging result after weaker-than-expected FICC revenue last quarter was a big blemish on the January-to-March results.
    — Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 14 July 2026
Definition of encouraging
Noun
  • Under the current system, office holders targeted in a recall are barred from being a candidate to replace themselves in that same election.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • So did former Gwinnett County School Board Chairman Everton Blair, the only candidate who ran for a full term to also qualify in the special election.
    — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of candidate
Adjective
  • Instead, some slopes are resorting to creating snow artificially, while hotels and restaurants do their best to stay optimistic.
    — Cristopher Ulloa, CNN Money, 11 July 2026
  • His eight turnovers reflected the rookie’s inevitable learning curve, but did little to diminish the flashes that have the Jazz so optimistic about the future.
    — Tony Jones, New York Times, 10 July 2026
Definition of optimistic
Adjective
  • Gaps in disclosure have prompted calls to reform the ethics and lobbying laws so that the public can easily see who is providing the expensive perks to state officials who have the power to reward them with favorable legislation and other actions.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 15 July 2026
  • Those numbers changed considerably when broken down by political party, with Republicans having a more favorable view of the economy than Democrats.
    — Eleanor Dearman, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
Definition of favorable
Noun
  • Visitors offered name suggestions for Odorysseus on the Huntington’s Instagram page, where contenders included Stinkerbell, Gagatha and Count Flatula, among others.
    — Emily Tarinelli, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Her competitive edge sharpened after hearing the news that a nearby state, Nevada, was a top contender for the first slot on the calendar.
    — Jesús Rodríguez, New Yorker, 10 July 2026
Definition of contender
Adjective
  • The White Sox are winning, and the future is suddenly bright.
    — Jon Greenberg, New York Times, 12 July 2026
  • The bright and airy Hotel San Luis Obispo (Hotel SLO,) which calls itself a modern urban resort, boasts The Ox and Anchor restaurant which has earned a Michelin Key.
    — Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • Kings summer league coach Chris Darnell was happy to see Acuff have some success.
    — Jason Anderson, Sacbee.com, 15 July 2026
  • But Mendieta’s story did not have a happy ending, and this is never mentioned.
    — Eliza Goodpasture, ARTnews.com, 15 July 2026
Definition of happy

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hope (for)
hopeful
hopefully
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Cite this Entry

“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 18 Jul. 2026.

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