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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of hopeful
Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Some cabbie hopefuls try dozens of times over years to pass the test.
—Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Adjective
The song closes with a coda of saz and mandolin, mournful and hopeful in equal measure.
—Molly Mary O’Brien, Pitchfork, 15 May 2026
Part hopeful family drama, part epic survival tale, and part origin story of the American West, this fresh adaptation of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s iconic semi-autobiographical Little House books offers a kaleidoscopic view of the struggles and triumphs of those who shaped the frontier.
—Matthew Carey, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Noun
Alameda resident Barack Denzel Obama Shaw, 56, is among the more unusual names on California’s crowded June 2 gubernatorial primary ballot, which includes 61 candidates and hopefuls such as Thunder Parley and LivingForGod AndCountry Demott.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 18 May 2026
Some cabbie hopefuls try dozens of times over years to pass the test.
—Anderson Cooper, CBS News, 17 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
-
For members of the state’s business community, that was a promising focus, one that closely aligned with their own goals.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
-
The three hitters who drove in runs that inning, Shohei Ohtani, Andy Pages and Kyle Tucker, had been trending upward at the plate of late, a promising sign for an offense overdue for a hot streak.—
Maddie Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
The serious problem of reliance on an adversary will take time to solve, but early returns are encouraging.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
22 May 2026
-
Those upbeat points for philosophy are heartwarming and abundantly encouraging.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Baker’s Stanford is a strong candidate, and his book follows in the tradition of Michael Lewis’s Wall Street chronicle Liar’s Poker, but with more pimples and less eye contact.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
21 May 2026
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Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt took his campaign to South Los Angeles on Wednesday, in a neighborhood incumbent Mayor Karen Bass represented during her years in Congress.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
21 May 2026
Adjective
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For many, Everlane represents the optimistic millennial ideal that consumers could shop their way to sustainability.—
Bella Webb,
Vogue,
22 May 2026
-
The overall mood feels expressive, relaxed and optimistic, with clothing designed for movement, travel, modern summer living and, most importantly, fun.—
Alex Badia,
Footwear News,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Some time later, a colleague convinced him to rein in his gland reductions, arguing that the glands could instead be moved into a more favorable position by adjusting the platysma using a specific technique.—
Jolene Edgar,
Allure,
14 May 2026
-
The lawsuit argues that allowing such a transfer could create incentives for states to enrich a president in hopes of favorable federal treatment.—
Abby Dodge,
CBS News,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Barring an Eric Swalwell-style blow-up, the top three — Becerra, Steyer and Hilton — are really the only true contenders.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
15 May 2026
-
King is more likely to be a lock for the practice squad than a legitimate contender for the 53-man roster entering OTAs.—
Mike Kaye
Updated May 14,
Charlotte Observer,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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Because a bright sky helps subdue Venus's glare, this is a good time to inspect the planet telescopically, though its gibbous disk remains rather small and approximately seven-eighths illuminated.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
18 May 2026
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The trick is not to chase every bright idea.—
Tarot.com,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
Staff is super attentive and happy to break down the menu to newcomers.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
19 May 2026
-
My occupations have given me a happy, humble, quiet life, but always nagging in the back of my mind has been a case of impostor syndrome.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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