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
Relevance
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
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hopeful
Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
Here's what hopeful visitors should know.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Maybe these talented hopefuls should stick to writing and forego the arduous road of becoming a full-time artist.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
Things had started hopeful — for the 50th anniversary of her Oscar win for Cabaret, Minnelli was invited to the ceremony to give the Best Picture award alongside the pop superstar.
—Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 14 Mar. 2026
Here's what hopeful visitors should know.
—Eve Chen, USA Today, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
The judges then stepped aside to select the 17 hopefuls that would move on in the competition.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Maybe these talented hopefuls should stick to writing and forego the arduous road of becoming a full-time artist.
—Shirley Halperin, Rolling Stone, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
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Helen is said to have sacrificed a promising acting career to star in her husband’s films and raise their kids, adding an interesting wrinkle to Ula’s dilemma about breaking the news of her next gig to her parents.—
Stephen Saito,
Variety,
15 Mar. 2026
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The most promising should be the white-collar grouping of professional and business services employment, which has been showing signs of improvement after three years of job shedding.—
Conor Sen,
Twin Cities,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Whether that’s more encouraging or concerning is up to you.—
Gabby Herzig,
New York Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
There was a pervasive sense among the workers that the government was ignoring—if not outright encouraging—violence against white farmers.—
Boyce Upholt,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The author notes that prediction markets produced inaccurate results in the Texas GOP Senate primary, where Polymarket declared a candidate the clear winner at 83% probability when the actual vote margin was narrow enough to force a runoff.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Husted said Randazzo was not FirstEnergy's preferred candidate for the job.—
JULIE CARR SMYTH THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
That prognostication now appears wildly optimistic.—
David Goldman,
CNN Money,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Reynolds spoke to the Broward School Board in October and voiced a more optimistic outlook for the three unions that represent school district employees.—
Scott Travis,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Clearly, new coach John Harbaugh had a favorable assessment of Neal from the 2022 draft process when the Alabama lineman was viewed as a top prospect.—
Dan Duggan,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
-
Borrowers with good credit and steady income have the most options, including debt consolidation programs with favorable terms.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Typically some time in January, the composer begins researching top awards contenders and toying with recognizable melodies from their scores.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The Astros signed Altuve to a long-term extension in 2013, years before the club again became contenders.—
Evan Drellich,
New York Times,
12 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Often called the Butterfly Nebula or the Bug Nebula, this object displays a striking structure involving two bright gas lobes extending in opposite directions, separated by a thick, dusty ring—known as a torus—around the central star.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Mar. 2026
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Penny is a truly bright light in the classroom, bringing a genuine joy and curiosity to her daily practice.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Everyone is friendly and happy to provide information about the property and the surrounding area of Tulum.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
10 Mar. 2026
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Suleyman, who is an honor guard commander and commander of the American Veterans Motorcycle Riders Association, is happy veterans are appreciated more in light of the 250th celebration.—
Jeff Vorva,
Chicago Tribune,
9 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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