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
Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 7 Feb. 2026
The ultimate success of this trade deadline process relies on a hopeful future.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The New Jersey native already had the résumé many WNBA hopefuls dream of, as a former 5-star recruit, two-time AP All-American and three-time first-team All-ACC honoree.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
However, Nanos remains hopeful that the 84-year-old is still alive.
—Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 7 Feb. 2026
The ultimate success of this trade deadline process relies on a hopeful future.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2026
Noun
Comparing this year’s best picture nominees with previous winners as a way to assess their chances has stood us in good stead before, so once again let’s turn to Oscar history to calculate the odds for this year’s crop of hopefuls.
—Lisa Rosen, Los Angeles Times, 11 Feb. 2026
The New Jersey native already had the résumé many WNBA hopefuls dream of, as a former 5-star recruit, two-time AP All-American and three-time first-team All-ACC honoree.
—Lia Assimakopoulos, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
-
One particularly promising application involves tracking when the ball crosses the sideline during kickoffs and punts.—
Jason Corso,
Fortune,
8 Feb. 2026
-
Often, even the most promising young prospects disappear.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Known for his playmaking and point guard skills when the Heat drafted Jakucionis with the 20th overall pick last year, his three-point shooting has been encouraging, albeit at a low volume because of his limited minutes.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Feb. 2026
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What’s been most encouraging is who’s leaning in.—
Brent Saunders,
Fortune,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker recommended that the council hear from each candidate before making an appointment.—
Hema Sivanandam,
Mercury News,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Instacart, on the other hand, reported strong revenue for its most recent period and issued an optimistic forecast for its first quarter.—
Josephine Rozzelle,
CNBC,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Operators remain cautiously optimistic, even as rising costs and softer traffic persist.—
Pamela McLoughlin,
Hartford Courant,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Another option would be converting a pair of their two-way players to team-favorable standard contracts, perhaps Myron Gardner and Jahmir Young, and then backfilling their two-way spots, with two-way players allowed to be signed until March 4.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
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The pick coming back to Denver will be the least favorable of the Clippers’ and Hawks’ second-rounders this year.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Hunt is one of three female frontrunners, with former BBC content boss Charlotte Moore, and ex-Channel 4 CEO Alex Mahon, also considered to be serious contenders.—
Jake Kanter,
Deadline,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Alysa Liu, returning to the Olympics after a brief retirement, is a gold medal contender at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in women’s figure skating.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
5 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Statues of prominent citizens line the route, many missing heads or limbs, while religious and civic buildings once painted in bright colors now appear butter-yellow.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Despite the loss, the future is bright for the Patriots and but first there's the reaction from after the Super Bowl.—
Will Richmond,
The Providence Journal,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Benito’s reps confirmed in a press release that the happy couple wasn’t just an act for the show.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Vonn’s comeback is in some ways the perfect Olympic story—happy ending be-damned.—
Frederick Dreier,
Outside,
9 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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