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
Relevance
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
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Ever the devoted fans, the couple remains hopeful about the Browns' chances this season.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Christian Romo, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
These pre-experience degrees are surging in popularity around the world, and some countries are accepting a larger percentage of young hopefuls.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
Newsweek has contacted Garnto, Ciattarelli and his Democratic governor hopeful Representative Mikie Sherrill, via email, for comment.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
Ever the devoted fans, the couple remains hopeful about the Browns' chances this season.
—Erin Clack, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
And after a 10-8 loss the day before, Detroit pitching has already given up 22 runs to the National League playoff hopefuls in just two games.
—Christian Romo, Freep.com, 3 Sep. 2025
These pre-experience degrees are surging in popularity around the world, and some countries are accepting a larger percentage of young hopefuls.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 3 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
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If the Panthers were to regress, how could that be viewed as promising or successful?—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The procedure, known as xenotransplantation – transplanting organs, tissues or cells from one species to another – is seen as the most promising way to meet the need of patients waiting desperately for an organ to become available.—
New Atlas,
New Atlas,
9 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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There was a brief period towards the end of last season when Destiny Udogie was preferred for high-profile matches, but Spence’s performances under Frank have been encouraging.—
Jay Harris,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
-
Waller’s gait appeared normal in the locker room Friday, which was an encouraging sign.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
At least one former candidate – Kansas City attorney Stacy Lake, who lost to White in the Democratic primary for County Executive in 2022 – has announced plans to run at that point.—
Ilana Arougheti,
Kansas City Star,
10 Sep. 2025
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The Senate field has remained thin since liberal teacher Josh Weil bowed out earlier this summer, positioning Jenkins as the party’s most visible candidate so far.—
Samantha-Jo Roth,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Perhaps Vrabel knew something optimistic fans did not know.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
-
Klarna was unusually optimistic about AI’s capabilities.—
Peter Cohan,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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In the east, crews continued to build line between Wiseman Springs and Rancheria Creek, engaging the fire directly along its active edge where favorable.—
CA WILDFIRE BOT,
Sacbee.com,
6 Sep. 2025
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Environmental conditions are favorable for development of this system, currently labeled as Invest 91L, and a tropical depression is likely to form over the weekend or early next week as the system moves slowly westward across the central tropical Atlantic.—
Gabe Hauari,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
There still isn’t a ton of pressure on Canales to win at a contender-level clip but not reaching at least a two-game improvement would be a massive disappointment.—
Mike Kaye
September 10,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Sep. 2025
-
After a first sampling of every contender, the group established the front-runners.—
Bon Appétit,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The Pixel’s Magic Editor leverages generative AI tools, which can remove objects in the background, alter lighting, and realistically change the entire mood of a phone (a bright middary sun can easily be compensated for).—
Ewan Spence,
Forbes.com,
8 Sep. 2025
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Academy graduate Charlie Tasker is a bright prospect.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
8 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Nadel, who is openly gay, muses on how the deaths of gay men subsidized his easy, happy childhood.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Though Todd and Julie's homecoming was received with overwhelming warmth by the extended Chrisley clan and all their friends, not every member of the core crew is happy with how the pick-up went down.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
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