1
: having qualities which inspire hope
hopeful signs of economic recovery
2
: full of hope : inclined to hope
hopefulness
noun
Synonyms
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
Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Bringing Jim Jones in is a really good step and very hopeful.
—Jonquilyn Hill, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024
Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
With her surprise visit Saturday to New York’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Harris joined a roster of White House hopefuls who have appeared on the long-running sketch show, including Trump, Clinton and Barack Obama.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hopeful 
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Adjective
At midnight, voters in the tiny New Hampshire hamlet of Dixville Notch reflected the national divide, casting three votes for each White House hopeful.
—Rachel Barber, USA TODAY, 5 Nov. 2024
Bringing Jim Jones in is a really good step and very hopeful.
—Jonquilyn Hill, Vox, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
There, a brand-new cast of supervisor hopefuls are battling for two key seats.
—Sasha Hupka, The Arizona Republic, 5 Nov. 2024
With her surprise visit Saturday to New York’s 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Harris joined a roster of White House hopefuls who have appeared on the long-running sketch show, including Trump, Clinton and Barack Obama.
—Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hopeful
Dictionary Entries Near hopeful
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopeful. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
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
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