expectant 1 of 2

adjective

ik-ˈspek-tənt How to pronounce expectant (audio)
Definition of expectantnext
1
as in eager
having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something expectant crowds gathered at the spot where the President was scheduled to make an appearance

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body a medication that should not be taken by expectant women without permission from their doctors

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expectant

2 of 2

noun

as in candidate
one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award divinity students who were all expectants for a curacy

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Example 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 expectant
Adjective
Laura’s husband lay on the bed as the rival stood next to it, expectant. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 Their new captain, with six defeats and a wash-out in seven matches, is immediately under pressure at the helm of the most expectant nation in cricket. — Paul Newman, New York Times, 12 July 2026
Noun
But for the design-minded expectants, choosing items for the registry can feel like a compromise between function and aesthetics. — Kate McGregor, Architectural Digest, 24 June 2026 In another post, the expectant mom shared some behind-the-scenes footage from her maternity shoot. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for expectant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectant
  1. eager
  2. pregnant
  3. candidate
  4. watchful
  5. hopeful
  6. enthusiastic
  7. applicant
  8. anticipatory
Adjective
  • Unlike many residents, some, like Hawkins, were eager to learn about the project.
    — Julia Avant, CBS News, 12 Aug. 2026
  • And while plenty of colleagues and acquaintances were all too eager to speak about those topics anonymously, almost nobody wanted their names attached.
    — Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of eager
Adjective
  • The findings, published in 2014, found a dramatic drop in a mouse’s ability to become pregnant and successfully carry a fetus to term.
    — Sandee LaMotte, CNN Money, 7 Aug. 2026
  • Shams – pregnant, isolated, yet unbroken – carries the weight of all this, and the fragile possibility of something new.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2026
Definition of pregnant
Noun
  • The event featured Georgia's congressional, Senate, House, and gubernatorial candidates discussing key economic issues affecting the state and nation.
    — Riley Bunch, AJC.com, 10 Aug. 2026
  • Mike Lindell, the founder of MyPillow, is a top Republican candidate in the governor's race.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of candidate
Adjective
  • The kids in The Shards might benefit from an occasional watchful eye, if only their parents weren’t vacationing in Europe indefinitely.
    — Rob Haskell, Vogue, 11 Aug. 2026
  • King, ever watchful, hired a music attorney who inked her husband’s record deal.
    — Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of watchful
Noun
  • The list of hopefuls includes longtime insiders of Chicago politics as well as newcomers to the scene.
    — Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026
  • There was similar notable (if not massive) movement for a couple NL Central hopefuls who made deadline deals, with the Milwaukee Brewers moving from +1000 to +900 and the Chicago Cubs from +1600 to +1500.
    — J.J. Bailey, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of hopeful
Adjective
  • After years of slapdash sequels and waning fandom, the Camp Miasma slasher franchise is handed over to an enthusiastic young director (Hannah Einbinder) for resurrection.
    — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026
  • However, international observers fear that the deal, which Iran is uncharacteristically enthusiastic about, could concede to Tehran unprecedented authority to charge for transit through the strait.
    — Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Noun
  • As of July 29th, more than 120,000 eligible applicants are awaiting additional funding.
    — Lacey Beasley, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
  • An unsolicited email fro a mother is not evidence that the applicant asked her to send it.
    — Jason Walker PsyD, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of applicant
Adjective
  • Shapiro remembers the moment the anticipatory grief set in, years before the loss itself.
    — Lisa Respers France, CNN Money, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The Vikings loved his length, speed and anticipatory skills of this tone-setter.
    — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of anticipatory

Browse Nearby Words

expectancy
expectant
expectantly
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Cite this Entry

“Expectant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectant. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of expectant for Spanish Speakers

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