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
Relevance
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
Examples Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of hopeful
Kathy Miller Perkins, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
Blackhawks feeling urgency with Thanksgiving approaching The SEC championship conundrum: Should Playoff hopefuls want to avoid playing in Atlanta?
—New York Times, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hopeful 
Adjective
According to a recent article in Psychology Today, building hopeful habits is a key component of hope.
—Kathy Miller Perkins, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024
Our family remains hopeful that Hannah is safe and urges everyone to continue the search.
—Dennis Romero, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024
Noun
Organizers of this cruise anticipate selecting from a long line of hopefuls.
—Ron Hurtibise, Sun Sentinel, 19 Nov. 2024
Blackhawks feeling urgency with Thanksgiving approaching The SEC championship conundrum: Should Playoff hopefuls want to avoid playing in Atlanta?
—New York Times, 18 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for hopeful
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hopeful
Adjective
-
Darius Slay batted down Bryce Young’s fourth-down attempt two plays later, securing the ninth-straight victory for an 11-2 team that just got a sneak preview of how its promising season can end.Brooks Kubena, The Athletic, 9 Dec. 2024
-
In the six conversations below, some of this year's most promising and ambitious chefs discuss everything from overcoming self-doubt during their first year in business to the work of preserving and amplifying their culture.Elazar Sontag, Bon Appétit, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Although overall inflation has picked up, the details have been more encouraging for Fed officials looking for a pullback.Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 16 Dec. 2024
-
Model healthy boundaries by setting expectations for email response times, limiting after-hours communications, and encouraging time off.Stephen Sokoler, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
McCormick could be shaping up to be this season’s version of White, emerging as a dark horse candidate to provide short-term RB utility for fantasy managers in the coming weeks.Theo Gremminger, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024
-
The downward notes reverberating from Cristal Baschet sound out seemingly every time Lawrence’s heart sinks or doubt surfaces about one of the candidates for the papacy.Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 14 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
But as cannabis research continues to gain traction, the road ahead looks increasingly optimistic.Matt Rozo, The Mercury News, 11 Dec. 2024
-
The outlook for 2025 appears cautiously optimistic.Susan Tompor, Detroit Free Press, 11 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Even if their attorneys represent views, the attorneys’ goals are to win the litigation or reach a favorable settlement (one that would pay the attorneys quite well through attorneys’ fees).Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Dec. 2024
-
Buenos Aires, the country’s tech center, is in a favorable time zone (just one hour ahead of EST for most of the year).Daniel Pena, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Upside is something the Nationals and White Sox are hoping for with a pitcher not a contender.David O'Brien, The Athletic, 10 Dec. 2024
-
Soto will fit in nicely with All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor as well as budding young talent, including Mark Vientos and Francisco Alvarez, making the Mets a World Series contender now and in the future.Scott Thompson, Fox News, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
That advanced air-suspension system shines brightest while cornering, as the Gravity begins to lean over just a bit, pushing weight onto the outside tires until the rear end squares up and plants, then the vehicle shoves off into seeming warp speed yet again.Michael Van Runkle, Robb Report, 10 Dec. 2024
-
The sky at the top of their driveway grew a brighter and brighter shade of red.Matt Hamilton, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
Despite Sickle's happy ending, there are still plenty of dogs looking for new forever homes across the country.Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024
-
Bottlenose Dolphins ‘Smile’ During Playful Interactions Bottlenose dolphins are happy to engage in these many forms of play, either in solitude or with others.Scott Travers, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near hopeful
Cite this Entry
“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hopeful. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share