HOPEFUL Synonyms: 126 Similar and Opposite Words

hopeful 1 of 2

adjective

ˈhōp-fəl

Definition of hopeful

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

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

Private sector leaders are hopeful about Shah’s administration and the surge of young people in leadership, including the majority of Shah’s ministers, who are under 40. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2026 It is now commonly played on New Year’s Eve, at weddings and anytime someone is feeling wistfully hopeful. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 20 Sep. 2026

Noun

This year’s showcase includes Hawks hopefuls such as Sacha Boisvert, Marek Vanacker and Adam Gajan. — Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 11 Sep. 2026 As a Texas senator, Cruz is one of the few 2028 hopefuls, besides Vance, who’s being featured at the convention. — Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopeful

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful

Adjective

If explored further, this study could open a promising new pathway to global, large-scale clean energy storage by showing that naturally occurring hydrogen traps can double as high-capacity power banks.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2026
Of interest to the teenage set is new series Coven Academy, which is set at a New Orleans school that only enrolls the most promising witches and warlocks.

— K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Definition of promising

Adjective

This is encouraging — trustworthy system should be able to pump the breaks and realize when data inputs are too unreliable to make accurate estimations.

— Euan Ashley, STAT, 1 Oct. 2026
The day began with gains for stocks following an encouraging report that said inflation wasn’t as bad across the United States last month as economists expected.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of encouraging

Noun

Both Abelian and non-Abelian candidate states can produce quasiparticles with e/4 charge, so charge measurements alone cannot distinguish between them.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2026
Ahead of the election, The Star reached out to both candidates to get their stances on Amendment 6, which was placed on the ballot by a campaign called Respect MO Voters.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 27 Sep. 2026

Definition of candidate

Adjective

The National Business Aviation Association and other aviation groups argue tax breaks help support jobs while spending millions lobbying to preserve their favorable treatment.

— Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Even as Democrats target his Virginia district to capitalize on a favorable 2026 environment, McGuire is doing the opposite of Republicans in some competitive races, who are softening their ties to Trump.

— Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of favorable

Noun

These five rising, behind-the-scenes maestros have worked on major hits for such likely 2027 contenders as Noah Kahan, Ariana Grande and Rosalía — and could be first-time nominees in the category.

— Andrew Unterberger, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Boehringer has pitched the medicine as a way to help patients lose fat while preserving muscle, but without an edge, the drug becomes just one more contender in an increasingly crowded market dominated by Eli Lilly and Novo.

— Ed Silverman, STAT, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of contender

Adjective

The Full Moon in your sign puts your identity, desires, and personal direction under a bright light, making old compromises harder to maintain automatically.

— Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 26 Sep. 2026
Alternatively, brighter whites and traditionally summery pieces can instantly feel autumnal when paired with moodier shades like maroon and olive green.

— Kate Boswell, Southern Living, 26 Sep. 2026

Definition of bright

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hope (for)

hopeful

hopefully

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Style

“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hopeful

adjective

noun

Example Sentences

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