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
Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Boston Marathon hopeful Jeannie Rice has turned heads – from fellow athletes and health enthusiasts to researchers – for her superior physical health in her late 70s.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Sophie Williams, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2025
Just look at how many Oscar nominees now start out at those two festivals: Five of this year’s Best Picture hopefuls started at the two festivals, with Cannes winner Anora and Emilia Pérez and Venice entry The Brutalist dominating this year’s U.S. awards scene.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
How to Watch Oilers vs Kings: Date: Monday, April 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 PM ET
Channel: ESPN2
Stream: FuboTV (TRY FOR FREE)
This is the first game of a best-of-seven series between these Stanley Cup hopeful teams.
—Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Apr. 2025
Boston Marathon hopeful Jeannie Rice has turned heads – from fellow athletes and health enthusiasts to researchers – for her superior physical health in her late 70s.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Noun
Previously, non-Korean hopefuls have faced the training machine – BLACKPINK, for example, features members born in New Zealand and Thailand – but the series brought a British group to the forefront for the first time.
—Sophie Williams, Billboard, 28 Mar. 2025
Just look at how many Oscar nominees now start out at those two festivals: Five of this year’s Best Picture hopefuls started at the two festivals, with Cannes winner Anora and Emilia Pérez and Venice entry The Brutalist dominating this year’s U.S. awards scene.
—Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
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During this time, the club managed to avoid relegation from the Premier League, often against the odds, and has enjoyed a promising period towards the end of the 2024/25 season under returning manager David Moyes, who previously managed the club between 2002 and 2013.—
James Nalton,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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This strategy is already showing a promising outcome.—
Xandra Harbet,
USA Today,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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What Robinson does have is good size (6-foot, 192 pounds) and good speed (4.42), and his traits were on display during an encouraging pro-day performance at Oregon State in March.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
2 May 2025
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That’s an encouraging sign, as Bellinger’s 39% pull rate would be his lowest in a single season.—
Gary Phillips,
New York Daily News,
1 May 2025
Noun
-
Even before Trump’s inauguration, Facebook owner Meta abandoned its practice of considering diverse candidates for open roles.—
Jessica Guynn,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Second Ballot: Any candidate that meets the eligibility criteria and receives a minimum of three nominations will be placed on the second ballot.—
Paul Grein,
Billboard,
1 May 2025
Adjective
-
Now, plenty of people will tell you that this is possibly a bit optimistic.—
Tax Notes Staff,
Forbes.com,
29 Apr. 2025
-
Equities have recovered a good portion of their losses since April 2 — the day President Donald Trump announced his new tariff policies — but investors may be too optimistic, since average tariffs in the U.S. are set to increase roughly tenfold versus 2024.—
Lisa Kailai Han,
CNBC,
28 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Weekly, relative strength and seasonality are both favorable.—
Bill Sarubbi,
Forbes.com,
28 Apr. 2025
-
Conditions are favorable for the development of weak, brief funnel clouds.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
27 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
In his 10 years as a presidential contender Donald Trump has always benefited politically by attacking immigrants, winning support for his promises of a hardline border crackdown.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2025
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Chanel Chance Eau Splendide Eau de Parfum $143 NORDSTROM West stands by Chanel’s latest fragrance as a top contender for summer.—
Kiana Murden,
Vogue,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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By all accounts, Woodson is a really bright football player.—
Chad Graff,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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This recipe skips the mayo and ops for a tangy vinaigrette to keep it light and bright.—
Cameron Beall,
Southern Living,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Love Hotel is less about happy endings and more about honoring the messy, hilarious, sometimes healing process of getting there.—
Shelby Stewart,
Essence,
22 Apr. 2025
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The authors aspire to a world in which there is clean energy to power every convenience, medical care and medicines that allow people to live longer and healthier lives, and a happy balance between work and time with friends and family.—
Brian Deese,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
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