expecting 1 of 2

adjective

as in pregnant
containing unborn young within the body the special nutritional needs of expecting women

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expecting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of expect
as in anticipating
to believe in the future occurrence of (something) we expect their arrival late this afternoon

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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 expecting
Adjective
This news marks the first time the National Zoo has had an expecting Asian elephant in nearly 25 years. — Kelli Bender, PEOPLE, 24 Nov. 2025
Verb
Analysts were not expecting China to produce a model as powerful as Fable until early next year. — Nicholas Gordon, Fortune, 17 July 2026 The small towns in southern Denton County are expecting to see tens of thousands of homes in the near future, but Montini said there’s no infrastructure to support the population growth. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 July 2026 Nancy Dello Stritto of Pompano Beach opened her mail expecting the usual paperwork. — Anthony Thompson, USA Today, 16 July 2026 The Buddhist perspective Many people today turn to mindfulness expecting stress reduction and relaxation. — Ronald S. Green, The Conversation, 16 July 2026 AllianceBernstein is more hopeful, expecting demand to meet the record levels of bond issuance. — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 15 July 2026 Social services meant to help Florida children and families are also expecting multimillion-dollar cuts if the property tax proposal passes. — Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026 The couple appeared to address the recent speculation among fans that Batula and Wilson are expecting their first child when Wilson, 31, posted a TikTok on Tuesday, July 14. — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026 Analysts are expecting an opening weekend haul of $75 million, though studio estimates are closer to $60 million to $65 million. — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expecting
  1. pregnant
  2. anticipating
  3. gone
  4. awaiting
Adjective
  • Smoke also harms pregnant women, increasing the risk of premature births and low-weight babies who could have breathing problems the rest of their lives, doctors and studies say.
    — Seth Borenstein, Chicago Tribune, 17 July 2026
  • That perception has shifted, at least in part thanks to scientists who discovered that a nearby cove is frequented by dozens of pregnant blacktip sharks, prompting efforts to protect the area.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 17 July 2026
Definition of pregnant
Verb
  • The French back line hesitated for a brief second, anticipating a potential foul, but Porro pressed the advantage and side-footed a shot past Mike Maignan in the 58th minute for the backbreaking goal.
    — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 July 2026
  • Luke Kuechly had an NFL career built on movement — anticipating, reacting, running and hitting.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 14 July 2026
Definition of anticipating
Adjective
  • Suddenly, photos, videos, or important documents are just… gone.
    — StackCommerce Team, PC Magazine, 15 May 2026
  • Room by room, the author takes us through the house, now long gone.
    — Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 8 Feb. 2026
Definition of gone
Verb
  • Nick Reiner has pleaded not guilty to his parents’ murder and is currently awaiting trial.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 20 July 2026
  • Quentin Hale, who was very good as a sophomore and junior at Cathedral, has moved over to Corona Centennial and looks confident with his USC scholarship awaiting him.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 20 July 2026
Definition of awaiting

Browse Nearby Words

expectedly
expecting
expectorate
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Cite this Entry

“Expecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expecting. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on expecting

Nglish: Translation of expecting for Spanish Speakers

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