Synonyms of expect

expect

verb

ik-ˈspekt 

as in to anticipate

to believe in the future occurrence of (something)

we expect their arrival late this afternoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anticipate
• await
• hope (for)
• predict
• watch (for)
• look for
• look forward to
• foresee
• rely (on or upon)
• envision
• depend (on or upon)
• wait (for)
• view
• assume
• count (on or upon)
• presume
• envisage
• contemplate
• presuppose
• foretell
• bank on
• eye
• prophesy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• question
• doubt

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb expect contrast with its synonyms?

The words hope and look are common synonyms of expect. While all three words mean "to await some occurrence or outcome," expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning.

expects to be finished by Tuesday

When would hope be a good substitute for expect?

The meanings of hope and expect largely overlap; however, hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen.

hopes to find a job soon

When is it sensible to use look instead of expect?

The words look and expect can be used in similar contexts, but look, with to, implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled; with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness.

looks to a tidy profit from the sale

look for rain when the wind shifts to the northeast

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of expect

Bardwell Farms earned about two hundred thousand dollars selling vegetables through these federal programs last year, and expected to make a little more than that in 2025. —Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2025

Consumers can expect to pay notably more than $12 for premium large-format screenings. —Pamela McClintock, HollywoodReporter, 4 Oct. 2025

President Petr Pavel, who will appoint the next prime minister, was expected to start talks with party leaders on Sunday. —Reuters 3 Hr Ago, CNN Money, 4 Oct. 2025

The series is due to have four seasons, each with 13 episodes running 10 minutes in length. Series showrunner Joao Amorim told Variety the first season is expected to open in the second half of 2026 on free-to-air TV channels TV Cultura in Brazil and CCTV Animation in China. —Marcelo Cajueiro, Variety, 4 Oct. 2025