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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
Realizing that a collective effort is crucial, TATA & VAN scout for like-minded hopefuls to share in the dream. — Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026 Politics has also centered on this road where presidents and presidential hopefuls have made key campaign stops and policy rollouts. — Salena Zito, Washington Post, 1 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
  • After injuries derailed her promising elite career and the sport’s abusive culture robbed her of her joy, Ohashi reached superstar status while rediscovering her love of the sport with UCLA.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026
  • Although practical quantum computers remain years away, the approach marks a promising step toward that goal, according to representatives at ETH Zurich.
    — Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 9 July 2026
Definition of promising
Adjective
  • The encouraging sign is that AI can now help police what AI builders are doing through agent simulation, anomaly detection and better observability.
    — Jason Andersen, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026
  • This convergence is a very encouraging sign, providing the first footprint of a structural trend change and indicating that the selling pressure from the recent rug pull is finally exhausting itself.
    — Nishant Pant, CNBC, 7 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
  • And for the star pitcher’s part, there seems to be plenty to be optimistic about.
    — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Once optimistic about the future of life in America, the show now has a stronger desire to make change.
    — Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 3 July 2026
Definition of optimistic
Adjective
  • Jewish adults, who overwhelmingly skew Democratic, have a slightly more favorable opinion of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, an outspoken critic of Israel, than of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the poll found.
    — Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026
  • His research has found that while nostalgia is associated with improvements in social connectedness and favorable responses to questions about new innovations like AI, declinism has the opposite associations.
    — Markham Heid, Time, 8 July 2026
Definition of favorable
Noun
  • The East's hierarchy is now fluid, with the Sixers emerging as serious contenders, though the Celtics remain a formidable force.
    — Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • If allowed to run, Le Pen is widely seen as a top contender to succeed centrist President Emmanuel Macron in the 2027 election.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 2 July 2026
Definition of contender
Adjective
  • Charlie Carballo Ed Sheeran, who's been rumored to perform at the wedding festivities, made his way to MSG wearing a bright blue suit alongside wife Cherry Seaborn.
    — Bryan West, USA Today, 4 July 2026
  • Work with Your Design Style A color this bright and energetic couldn’t possibly be versatile, too, right?
    — Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 July 2026
Definition of bright
Adjective
  • The shorts are nice and loose, with a bottom layer to keep everything covered up, and pockets to keep me happy.
    — Laurie Lyons-Makaimoku, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2026
  • But, if the bride and groom were happy with how the day went, that’s probably all that matters in the long run.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 8 July 2026
Definition of happy

Browse Nearby Words

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 11 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of hopeful for Spanish Speakers

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