1
: having qualities which inspire hope
hopeful signs of economic recovery
2
: full of hope : inclined to hope
hopefulness
noun
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
ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
In a hopeful sign for the downtown struggling office market, the owner of an iconic office tower that tumbled into foreclosure has reached a settlement with its lender to regain control of the 23-story building, in a purchase that will include a new ownership arrangement with a longtime partner.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
After a record number of House members retired this year, many of those seats opened up for the first time in years, drawing dozens of Democratic hopefuls.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said the Spurs are hopeful both will play in Friday's home game against Dallas.
—ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026
In a hopeful sign for the downtown struggling office market, the owner of an iconic office tower that tumbled into foreclosure has reached a settlement with its lender to regain control of the 23-story building, in a purchase that will include a new ownership arrangement with a longtime partner.
—Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
Nearly all of the hopefuls have either expressed interest or have not shut down the idea about running for president.
—Hannah Demissie, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
After a record number of House members retired this year, many of those seats opened up for the first time in years, drawing dozens of Democratic hopefuls.
—Leah Askarinam, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopeful. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
