hopeful

1 of 2

adjective

hope·ful ˈhōp-fəl

Synonyms of hopeful

: having qualities which inspire hope

hopeful signs of economic recovery

: full of hope : inclined to hope

hopefulness noun

hopeful

2 of 2

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

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.

Adjective

Lee is hopeful the team will add another player or two or three before the transfer window closes next Wednesday, but Sporting KC is past the point of turning around its season. — Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026 In 2018, Democrats were also hopeful for a rising star candidate to flip a Senate seat. — Kinsey Crowley, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026

Noun

Studios are increasingly nervous about launching awards hopefuls at festivals. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 The Republican Senate hopeful joins an increasing number of GOP candidates announcing opposition to projects that anger their core voters. — Molly Hennessy-Fiske, Washington Post, 24 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hopeful

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1720, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hopeful was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Hopeful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hopeful. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

hopeful

1 of 2 adjective

hope·ful ˈhōp-fəl

: having qualities which inspire hope

: full of or inclined to hope

hopefulness noun

hopeful

2 of 2 noun

: a person who has hopes or is considered promising

hopeful

adjective

noun

Synonyms of hopeful

Examples of hopeful in a Sentence

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition

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