1
: having qualities which inspire hope
hopeful signs of economic recovery
2
: full of hope : inclined to hope
hopefulness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of hopeful in a Sentence
Adjective
The mood is sad rather than hopeful.
He was hopeful that things would get better soon.
I still feel hopeful about the future.
She is hopeful of winning the race.
a hopeful tone of voice
There are hopeful signs that the crisis may end soon.
The movie has a hopeful ending.
Investigators report that there have been some hopeful developments in the case.
Noun
the three mayoral hopefuls are going to debate on local TV
Recent Examples on the Web
Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Ultimately, string theory remains a hopeful candidate for putting all the pieces of the cosmic puzzle together.
—Tom Siegfried, JSTOR Daily, 19 Dec. 2024
Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
The former Democratic presidential hopefuls argued that the DNC tried to rig the system to ensure Biden had a smooth path to being the party’s nominee.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hopeful 
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Adjective
The trailer strikes a hopeful tone throughout, calling back to Christopher Reeve's version and in contrast to the darker vision made famous by director Zack Snyder.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 19 Dec. 2024
Ultimately, string theory remains a hopeful candidate for putting all the pieces of the cosmic puzzle together.
—Tom Siegfried, JSTOR Daily, 19 Dec. 2024
Noun
Key Background Trump decamped to Mar-a-Lago after his win, holding meetings with his inner circle, administration hopefuls and transition team to craft his second term agenda and build out his staff.
—Sara Dorn, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024
The former Democratic presidential hopefuls argued that the DNC tried to rig the system to ensure Biden had a smooth path to being the party’s nominee.
—Emily Hallas, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 3 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hopeful
Dictionary Entries Near hopeful
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopeful. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
hopeful
1 of 2 adjective
hope·ful
ˈhōp-fəl 
1
: having qualities which inspire hope
2
: full of or inclined to hope
hopefulness
noun
hopeful
2 of 2 noun
: a person who has hopes or is considered promising
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