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
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hopeful
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2026
The panel is supposed to be independent, but with six of the board's nine members appointed by Mamdani, tenants were hopeful the outcome would be in their favor.
—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
Teo Armus,
Washington Post,
23 June 2026
The top vote-getter in each league during Phase 1 automatically earns a starting spot, though that is unlikely to affect any of the A’s hopefuls.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
The utilitarian arena is also, for a singer who built her career being a hopeful and hopeless romantic, perhaps the least romantic venue possible.
—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
26 June 2026
The panel is supposed to be independent, but with six of the board's nine members appointed by Mamdani, tenants were hopeful the outcome would be in their favor.
—
Jeff Capellini,
CBS News,
25 June 2026
Noun
Three left-wing hopefuls backed by New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani won their races, including two who unseated incumbents.
—
Teo Armus,
Washington Post,
23 June 2026
The top vote-getter in each league during Phase 1 automatically earns a starting spot, though that is unlikely to affect any of the A’s hopefuls.
—
Sean Campbell,
Sacbee.com,
22 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
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Methane is widely regarded as one of the most promising fuels for reusable rockets and future interplanetary missions.
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But since train-and-pray programs are unlikely to close the construction talent gap, three other initiatives are more promising.
Adjective
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That means encouraging activities that benefit from proximity, such as planning meetings, architecture discussions, design reviews and complex problem-solving.
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Some encouraging signals suggest the will to close the funding gap may exist.
Noun
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Although researchers have not determined their origin, many consider Cheyava Falls one of the strongest potential biosignature candidates discovered on Mars.
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The results in New York affirm that socialists are on the rise and likely will field a presidential candidate in 2028.
Adjective
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By the end of the episode, there is reason to feel optimistic, and not just because Jimmy may have found a solution to his and the restaurant’s financial problems.
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The work is making sure the assumptions underneath them are honest rather than inherited from an optimistic seller.
Adjective
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That combination of clear skies, dry air and terrain can produce dramatic overnight lows in the 20s and 30s — and in especially favorable setups, even colder readings in localized spots like the one near Kirk, Oregon.
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Similarly, Sullivan and Hafley appear to have favorable view about Rodriguez’s ability to wear the green dot.
Noun
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Anthony Elanga puts up a contender for the goal of the tournament with a rocket from the corner of the box into the left side of the net to bring this one back even at one goal apiece in the 62nd minute.
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Matthew Brewer, previously the CHA’s interim CEO and board chair, declared his candidacy in the 2027 mayoral race, the latest addition to a widening pool of contenders.
Adjective
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But plenty of these bright red and crisp white shirts belong to Panama fans.
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The prospects for Chip’s Seeds continue to be bright, too.
Adjective
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At the beach, maybe, at a barbecue or whatever place sets fireworks pinwheeling through your holiday-happy mind.
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Like many great works of American literature, the book is an unflinching portrait of a seemingly happy family held together by hubris and fear of change.
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 4 Jul. 2026.
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