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
Kevin Williams, CNBC, 2 May 2026
Everyone leaning forward, hopeful.
—Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Early voting in the midterm primaries starts Monday in Georgia, and voters were given a chance to see all the Republican hopefuls on one stage at the Atlanta Press Club debates Sunday.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
Interest rates don't tell the full story One supposed silver-lining in the economy of 2026 that consumers had been hopeful was still ahead is a lower-rate environment as inflation declines, but the war and the surge in oil prices has upended the policymaking assumptions of central banks.
—Kevin Williams, CNBC, 2 May 2026
Everyone leaning forward, hopeful.
—Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 2 May 2026
Noun
The candidates, one running for the Senate in Virginia and two congressional hopefuls from Texas and Minnesota, were fined and banned from Kalshi for five years.
—CBS News, 27 Apr. 2026
Early voting in the midterm primaries starts Monday in Georgia, and voters were given a chance to see all the Republican hopefuls on one stage at the Atlanta Press Club debates Sunday.
—Irene Wright, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
-
Coffee is one of the most promising sectors for economic development in Yemen, where more than 80% of the population lives in poverty, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
2 May 2026
-
Changing the body’s response to chronic disease Some of the most promising technologies for longevity will need to be prescribed, not bought.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
2 May 2026
Adjective
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The Rockies, back home after an encouraging 4-2 road trip, were in control of the game early behind another strong start from veteran left-hander Jose Quintana and another big night from Mickey Moniak, who extended his hitting streak to 15 games.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
-
Kenyon told me that although the mice research is encouraging, a drug pathway that successfully extends a dog’s life will generate more enthusiasm among scientists who hope to try similar treatments on humans.—
Ross Andersen,
The Atlantic,
2 May 2026
Noun
-
Ross Perot, Electronic Data Systems The Texas billionaire and two-time presidential candidate may have had the most cinematic route of the bunch.—
Sydney Lake,
Fortune,
29 Apr. 2026
-
The candidates themselves must live within the district’s boundaries, which stretch across large portions of northwest and west-central Georgia and include parts of western metro Atlanta.—
Drew Kann,
AJC.com,
29 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ahead of the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting Saturday, the mood in the air was cautiously optimistic as new and returning investors weighed the company’s direction under a new chief executive.—
Yun Li,Alex Harring,Sarah Min,
CNBC,
2 May 2026
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Blue Origin has a long way to go before achieving 100 New Glenn flights, and doing it within three years sounds overly optimistic.—
Stephen Clark,
ArsTechnica,
1 May 2026
Adjective
-
Consider a personal loan for debt consolidation For borrowers who can't qualify for a favorable balance transfer offer or for those who would prefer a different route, debt consolidation could make more sense.—
Angelica Leicht,
CBS News,
30 Apr. 2026
-
How to Get Around Montréal's ease and affordability are among its biggest draws for college students, and right now, the favorable exchange rate certainly helps.—
Megan Wallitsch,
Travel + Leisure,
30 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The Knicks now move on and remain a contender in the Eastern Conference.—
Dan Santaromita,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Doral Police Chief Edwin Lopez is a lead contender to replace Morales, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter.—
Verónica Egui Brito,
Miami Herald,
30 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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His orangey hair nearly matched a color in his brand-new Miami Dolphins jersey, the number thirty-nine spangly and bright.—
Chang-rae Lee,
New Yorker,
3 May 2026
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This popular, low-maintenance plant features stunning burgundy foliage and bright pink spring flowers.—
SJ McShane,
Martha Stewart,
3 May 2026
Adjective
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Amid his slow offensive start, Ohtani’s swing has become pull-happy.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
5 May 2026
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And right now, Vahmistrovs is happy to help in leading the outfield’s resurgence.—
Paul Johnson,
Chicago Tribune,
5 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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