expectant

[ik-spek-tuhnt] / ɪkˈspɛk tənt /

ADJECTIVE

anticipating

Synonyms

WEAK

alert anticipative anxious apprehensive awaiting breathless eager expecting hopeful hoping in suspense looking for on edge on tenterhooks prepared raring ready vigilant waiting waiting on watchful with bated breath

ADJECTIVE

preparing to give birth

Synonyms

WEAK

enceinte expecting gravid parturient pregnant with child

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The expectant parents married in April 2024, a year after Kaplan — whose producing credits include Netflix’s “To All the Boys” film series — popped the question.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

Kimmel had told a joke last week about how Melania Trump had “a glow like an expectant widow.”

From Slate • May 2, 2026

“Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”

From Salon • Apr. 27, 2026

During a mock White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner speech, Kimmel made a remark about the first lady, saying, “Mrs. Trump, you have a glow like an expectant widow.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

But Corporal Reynolds is staring at me with expectant eyes.

From "Internment" by Samira Ahmed

Vocabulary lists containing expectant

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Salt to the Sea

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