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
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Recent Examples of hopeful
Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Bert never returned after placing him in a home, but Kenneth found other ways of keeping this hopeful, stabilizing presence in his life.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
One of the hopefuls is And Justice for All, a series based on the 1979 movie starring Al Pacino, Deadline has learned.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
The survey, published in April, found just 26% of 18- to 29-year-olds felt hopeful about the country's future.
—Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 29 May 2026
Bert never returned after placing him in a home, but Kenneth found other ways of keeping this hopeful, stabilizing presence in his life.
—Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
Noun
Newcomer Annie Fischer faces incumbent Paul Keefer for the District 3 seat, while hopefuls Dominique Donette, Ralph Merletti, Anna Molander Hermann and Davon Thomas compete to represent District 1, where longtime trustee Bina Lefkovitz is not running for reelection.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 2 June 2026
One of the hopefuls is And Justice for All, a series based on the 1979 movie starring Al Pacino, Deadline has learned.
—Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 2 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
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Although the data is still being analysed, Zhang Tongjie believes SETI remains one of the most promising approaches for detecting extraterrestrial life.—
Bojan Stojkovski,
Interesting Engineering,
31 May 2026
-
Whitmer was once considered among the Democratic Party’s most promising national figures.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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For the Class of 2026, that’s an encouraging message.—
Bryan Robinson,
Forbes.com,
5 June 2026
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But the run-up under splash hire coach Mauricio Pochettino has been less than encouraging, though a recent 3-2 friendly win over a stout Senegal squad was a positive.—
Greg Cote
June 4,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2026
Noun
-
On the night of the primary election, holding hands with Montag, the mayoral candidate posed in glossy paparazzi-style photos.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
4 June 2026
-
But for a Cy Young candidate who, as part of a six-man rotation, won’t pitch in as many games as his competition, efficiency matters.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Workers who feel optimistic about AI’s effect on their careers report dramatically stronger workplace outcomes across engagement, effort, and intent to stay.—
Matt Rosenbaum,
Fortune,
29 May 2026
-
Her mindset immediately shifted from a sinking feeling to being optimistic about the future.—
Ayren Jackson-Cannady,
SELF,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
Conservative state lawmakers who have received tens of thousands of dollars from Gleason and his family are also those who have consistently sponsored, or at least provided their favorable votes, to bills that would directly benefit his precious metals business.—
Kevin Fixler
June 4,
Idaho Statesman,
4 June 2026
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In nearly half of those actions, the plaintiffs have won a preliminary injunction against the administration or a favorable ruling, said Lawrence Pacheco, a spokesman for Weiser’s office.—
John Aguilar,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
Noun
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The Braves had Cy Young contender Chris Sale on the mound.—
Gabriel Burns,
AJC.com,
5 June 2026
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Mike Tirico, Jamal Crawford, and Reggie Miller discusses why San Antonio could be a contender for years to come, highlighting Victor Wembanyama, the Spurs' chemistry and its long-term outlook.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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In braids and a bright yellow fishing bib, with her dog Claude at her side and a witty interjection always on the tip of her tongue, Maude climbs onto her trusty little boat and sets a course for the open sea.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
1 June 2026
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Durable enough to handle the elements, this waterproof light features a comfortable elastic strap and a bright, adjustable beam that improves visibility while keeping both hands free for unloading luggage, handling car repairs, or setting up camp in the dark.—
Sophie Dodd,
Travel + Leisure,
31 May 2026
Adjective
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Many of those staying are fans of the Surrey Hills Beaverbrook original, deliriously happy that there’s now an equally stylish offshoot in the capital, too.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
Duolingo is about to make a lot of language learners very happy.—
Greta Cross,
USA Today,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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