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
Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
Speigel is hopeful the new shareholders will get Six Flags back on track.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
Possible Democratic presidential hopefuls hit the campaign trail in New Jersey and Virginia as the party tries to chart a path to victory in 2028.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
School officials are hopeful the two sides can more than simply co-exist.
—Dean Spiros, Twin Cities, 24 Oct. 2025
Speigel is hopeful the new shareholders will get Six Flags back on track.
—Rachel Treisman, NPR, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
Statistics show Chad Brown, trainer of Classic hopefuls Sierra Leone and potential rabbit Contrary Thinking, and Bill Mott, who has Sovereignty, get some of their best results with horses coming off layoffs of 60 days or more.
—Kevin Modesti, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2025
Possible Democratic presidential hopefuls hit the campaign trail in New Jersey and Virginia as the party tries to chart a path to victory in 2028.
—Christian Orozco, NBC news, 21 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
-
His career, once so promising, seemed to be slipping away.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Oct. 2025
-
The promising honors student had mysteriously vanished after spending an evening with friends at a local bar then leaving alone without her cellphone and stopping at a gas station next door, Houston police said.—
Dalia Faheid,
CNN Money,
27 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The early signs are encouraging but the players are still adapting to Alonso’s demands.—
Anantaajith Raghuraman,
New York Times,
25 Oct. 2025
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However, their performance was anything but encouraging.—
Cole Sullivan,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The majority of interested clients are eligible candidates for PRP and PRF; however, those with blood disorders, autoimmune conditions, infections or taking blood-thinning medication should consult with their aesthetic provider first.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
28 Oct. 2025
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Three of the board’s trustees will be elected to full, four-year terms from a field of four candidates, including incumbents Linda Hoskins Sutton and Brad Isnard and challengers Joe Caiharr and Geoffrey Kump.—
Nathan Pilling,
Kansas City Star,
28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Jim interviewed Niccol last week and came away optimistic about the company's trajectory in 2026.—
Paulina Likos,
CNBC,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Ted is optimistic that this budding romance is the beginning of his Christmas comeback, but his looming holiday bad luck still has a few curveballs in store for him.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Rutgers-Eagleton’s mid-October survey mirrored that trend, finding 42 percent of voters viewed Sherrill favorably and 45 percent unfavorably, while Ciattarelli’s numbers were 41 percent favorable and 47 percent unfavorable.—
Martha McHardy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Oct. 2025
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Pics such as Gladiator and series including Game of Thrones have shot there, taking advantage of the favorable tax rebate system and production hubs.—
Jesse Whittock,
Deadline,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Let’s wait a bit before calling them championship contenders.—
Doug Kyed,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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The reward is a future that looks a lot less scary, and a present that once again looks like a legitimate title contender.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
Mercury News,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The bright bubblegum-pink design has green sketches of the movie’s most iconic characters, including Glinda, Elphaba, Madame Morrible, and the Cowardly Lion, while gold accents add extra shine to the dishwasher-safe cup.—
Jacqueline Tempera,
PEOPLE,
26 Oct. 2025
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Now, children laugh and study in the open-air structure, boasting candy-bright paint.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Because nobody really loves happy songs.—
Madison E. Goldberg,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, at home, Earle's stepmom, Ashley Dupré Earle, wasn't so happy.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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