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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hopeful
Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
She is known for her approachable style, turning overwhelming situations into manageable and often even hopeful experiences.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
Gubernatorial hopefuls in New Jersey and Virginia make their final push ahead of Election Day.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
Scammers prey on emotion, targeting people who are hopeful, lonely or in transition.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 8 Nov. 2025
She is known for her approachable style, turning overwhelming situations into manageable and often even hopeful experiences.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
Noun
His list of social-media endorsements in the campaign’s final days included dozens of other GOP hopefuls, but not her.
—Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 6 Nov. 2025
Gubernatorial hopefuls in New Jersey and Virginia make their final push ahead of Election Day.
—Kayla Hayempour, NBC news, 3 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
-
Nico Harrison’s disdain for beloved superstar Luka Dončić is going to end what was once a promising career as a basketball general manager.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Nov. 2025
-
Scherzer has won two titles, just missing out on his third this year, but his promising performance in the postseason has the free agent motivated for another go-around.—
Nelson Espinal,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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That’s two straight encouraging performances from Lopez, who went 15-for-19 for 216 yards and two touchdowns against Syracuse.—
Justin Williams,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
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Amazingly, Exposure contestants go through hours of practice and performance each day without ever seeming to tire, and along with the competitive spirit, there’s a real sense of community, with skaters constantly encouraging, applauding, and appreciating each other.—
Lonnie Burstein Hewitt,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
The movement helped propel Mohamed Muizzu, an opposition candidate from the anti-Indian People’s National Congress, to a surprise victory in the 2023 presidential election.—
MUHIB RAHMAN,
Foreign Affairs,
12 Nov. 2025
-
Brian Daboll, who had been viewed as a potential hot seat candidate, was removed from his job as head coach.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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While the center has shifted its funding to focus to operating the two clinics and remaining open as a gathering space, Hawkins is still optimistic despite the losses.—
Eloise Rollins-Fife,
Mercury News,
8 Nov. 2025
-
And participants with the top 20% of stock holdings are especially optimistic.—
Jason Ma,
Fortune,
8 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
The measure’s approval allows Democrats to redraw congressional maps more favorable to their party in the nation’s largest state and keep up with Republicans who have moved to add potential new red House seats in Texas and elsewhere.—
Josh Boak,
Fortune,
6 Nov. 2025
-
By contrast, the Moon is a much more favorable environment by many metrics.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
6 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Instead, this team bullied one of the top NFC playoff contenders from start to finish.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Even with expectations for this season always low (even by Browns post-1999 standards), does anyone watching think this team is anywhere close to becoming a contender — even with a pair of potential top-15 picks in the 2026 draft?—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Bure is keeping her faith — and her Christmas crown — shining bright.—
Stephanie Giang-Paunon,
FOXNews.com,
9 Nov. 2025
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Researchers have discovered the brightest and most powerful flare ever seen from a supermassive black hole.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The Danish drugmaker's unsolicited bid is rarely seen in the industry, and Pfizer certainly wasn't happy about it.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Bertha Coombs,
CNBC,
5 Nov. 2025
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The hunky leading man was happy to take on the moniker.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 14 Nov. 2025.
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