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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
On his Instagram Stories, Cole posted a picture of the expectant parents, simply adding three red heart emojis. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 9 June 2026 Batches of limited stock sales will be allowed in the coming months, however, and some real estate agents and bankers are putting together workarounds to help expectant millionaires leverage their future gains to secure loans. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026
Noun
In another post, the expectant mom shared some behind-the-scenes footage from her maternity shoot. — Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 29 May 2026 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 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
  • Brown, though, is in the prime of his career and no doubt eager to prove the Celtics wrong for trading him after a decade in Boston.
    — Tim Casey, Forbes.com, 2 July 2026
  • Up in arms about the way the government has been controlling the food supply, the common folk are eager to test their newfound democratic power.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026
Definition of eager
Adjective
  • That's because of superfecundation, which means that one female cat can become pregnant by multiple male cats at the same time.
    — Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • Balogun was born in New York only because his Nigerian mother, visiting from England, was seven months pregnant and denied boarding for the flight back to London.
    — Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 July 2026
Definition of pregnant
Noun
  • Under the current system, office holders targeted in a recall are barred from being a candidate to replace themselves in that same election.
    — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • So did former Gwinnett County School Board Chairman Everton Blair, the only candidate who ran for a full term to also qualify in the special election.
    — Tia Mitchell, AJC.com, 6 July 2026
Definition of candidate
Adjective
  • Wildlife enthusiasts find a different rhythm through AmaWaterways’ Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises, one that trades itinerary sprinting for long, watchful hours on the water.
    — Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 June 2026
  • Cruz is alluring and watchful, while Norton turns out to be the film’s secret weapon.
    — Mark Olsen, Los Angeles Times, 25 June 2026
Definition of watchful
Noun
  • For Johnathon, every ride is preparation for his first taste of US competition with nine other young Australian hopefuls, who are flying to Texas for the Youth Bull Riders World Finals this July.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
  • By the following day, 40,000 more hopefuls were on the queue, but were told the tickets had sold out.
    — Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 3 July 2026
Definition of hopeful
Adjective
  • China, the world's top crude importer, has not been particularly enthusiastic about purchasing Iranian oil, despite traditionally being the main buyer of the country's energy.
    — Justina Lee, CNBC, 6 July 2026
  • None of these kids sits at the top of the Australian rankings, but behind them is a team of enthusiastic parents who formed a non-profit – Red Dirt Australian Rodeo – to raise money for the trip.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 5 July 2026
Definition of enthusiastic
Noun
  • How to apply for Purina's chief snuggle officer Interested applicants can apply on Purina’s website from now until July 17.
    — Drew Pittock, USA Today, 6 July 2026
  • Matheson Hammock Marina had a waiting list of more than 482 people for its most in-demand 30-foot slips, with at least one applicant waiting since 2012.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 6 July 2026
Definition of applicant
Adjective
  • Ultimately, anticipatory anxiety should be a catalyst for becoming more adaptable and intentional in developing valuable human qualities, regardless of technological advancements.
    — Dr. Diane Hamilton, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
  • Now, researchers have discovered that this anticipatory activation is powered by pockets of glycogen in POMC neurons.
    — Isabella Backman, Hartford Courant, 12 June 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 7 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on expectant

Nglish: Translation of expectant for Spanish Speakers

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