1
as in eager
having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something
expectant crowds gathered at the spot where the President was scheduled to make an appearance
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body
a medication that should not be taken by expectant women without permission from their doctors
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award
divinity students who were all expectants for a curacy
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of expectant
Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
From postpartum recovery to nursing know-hows, here are the winners of Parents Best for Baby Awards for new and expectant parents.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
Michael D. Snediker, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
In the end, this expectant father learned a valuable — and slightly embarrassing — lesson: sometimes, the best thing to say during a poignant moment is nothing at all.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectant
Adjective
While sustaining the ruse for months, Ale arranged with an expectant young mother who didn’t want her child to take that woman’s newborn as her own.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 30 Apr. 2026
From postpartum recovery to nursing know-hows, here are the winners of Parents Best for Baby Awards for new and expectant parents.
—Pamela Brill, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
Noun
Meniscus augur & hour of errors as the mercury rag spills its rings
from his last good pore, his teeth shaped in greenhouse suet or little
expectant pots of orchid balm in snow.
—Michael D. Snediker, The Atlantic, 10 Aug. 2025
In the end, this expectant father learned a valuable — and slightly embarrassing — lesson: sometimes, the best thing to say during a poignant moment is nothing at all.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectant
Adjective
-
Sometimes there’s an English language barrier, but everyone is patient and eager to make your stay memorable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
-
Joelle D'Alencar, the owner of the business, is eager to help new customers feel comfortable.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
The statement called for an investigation into the incident and a review of protocols governing pregnant people in custody.—
Cristian Santana,
NBC news,
17 May 2026
-
Set in 1944 in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War, Pan’s Labyrinth follows Ofelia, a young girl living with her pregnant mother and her new husband, a brutal Francoist captain played by Sergi López.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
17 May 2026
Noun
-
This June, the Brooklyn Can’t Wait slate of reform-minded candidates is running to build a transparent, accountable, and inclusive party.—
Adam Davis,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
-
If accepted, candidates may begin attending seminary school, which, like other forms of higher education, will include classes, exams and studying.—
Julia Gomez,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Adjective
-
Being aware of them and keeping a watchful eye on your power strip and its current condition could protect you and your home in the long run.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
16 May 2026
-
Jason, 28, is nonverbal and profoundly disabled, with significant cognitive limitations and little awareness of danger — vulnerabilities that require constant, watchful care.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
The best sightings will come from where the aurora is directly overhead, but hopefuls can catch sight of the light show from up to 1000 km away.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
16 May 2026
-
With Prime Minister Keir Starmer facing a rebellion and resignation calls from within his own party, Sky’s comedy series featured leadership hopefuls gatecrashing 10 Downing Street.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
The crowd was enthusiastic and somewhat glassy-eyed, and people lined up patiently to buy records and merchandise, and to get a chance to meet Rashad.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 May 2026
-
Firebird Tours has also been an enthusiastic adopter of new technology and created a custom trip builder and travel app.—
Nia Bowers,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
-
Importing higher-paying—and oftentimes higher-achieving—students benefits a school during boom times, when universities have seemingly infinite choice among applicants.—
Jay Caspian Kang,
New Yorker,
19 May 2026
-
Rick Freedman, a Miami Beach native and a Kiwanis member since 1995, said the scholarship applicants’ stories resonated with him because of how well the students handled challenges in their lives, and persevered.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
19 May 2026
Adjective
-
Being middle class comes with a fear of losing a specific sense of safety; the existential quest is finding out if there’s more to life than clutching onto your stuff in anticipatory panic.—
Francesco Pacifico,
The Dial,
12 May 2026
-
Happiness mingled with a kind of anticipatory grief.—
Susan Young,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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