expected 1 of 2

Definition of expectednext
as in scheduled
being in accordance with the prescribed, normal, or logical course of events the children did their chores, but not without the expected whining

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

expected

2 of 2

verb

past tense of expect

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 expected
Adjective
That gap between strategy and readiness plays into expected outcomes. Jennifer Belissent, Forbes.com, 28 Jan. 2026 Begin planting seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost in your area. Kerry Michaels, The Spruce, 21 Jan. 2026 Instead, the double feature has been saddled with less than expected revenues, from a downtrend in consumer spending decreasing Measure A outflow, deep cuts in state and federal funds, and higher housing costs, forcing reductions in services amounting to close to a quarter million dollars a year. Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 17 Jan. 2026 Wind is expected to be a non-factor and there is no expected precipitation in the area. Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 16 Jan. 2026 And the expected 6,000-person attendance for Stars games would be more akin to Northwestern basketball games at the adjacent Welsh-Ryan Arena. Shun Graves, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026 The expected hearing in February will take place against the backdrop of Skubal’s uncertain future in Detroit. Ken Rosenthal, New York Times, 12 Jan. 2026 If the labor market is improving and the Supreme Court delivers the expected tariff refunds, the Fed would have almost no justification for adding further stimulus to the economy via a new round of cheaper money. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 9 Jan. 2026 This slider is currently being crowdfunded on Kickstarter, where it's heavily discounted from its expected MSRP. Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 9 Jan. 2026
Verb
Totals in these areas are generally expected to be lower, but even an inch or less of snow would be disruptive in places like Atlanta that rarely see winter weather. Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 30 Jan. 2026 Services revenue is expected to grow at a year-over-year rate similar to what Apple just reported, so call it about 14%. Jeff Marks, CNBC, 30 Jan. 2026 Judge Margaret Garnett has not yet ruled on either motion and is expected to address the next steps in the case at Friday's hearing. Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026 National Guard troops are expected to remain deployed in Washington throughout 2026, according to a memo reviewed by The Associated Press earlier this month. Arkansas Online, 30 Jan. 2026 Above that, no cosmic rays at all were expected. Big Think, 30 Jan. 2026 When food is scarce or temperatures rise, animals are expected to choose survival over making offspring. Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026 This takes the pressure off because you’re not expected to create something entirely new. Literary Hub, 29 Jan. 2026 He’s expected to begin his throwing program in the coming days. Chris Kirschner, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expected
Adjective
  • This game came one day after his fiancee, Carolina Matovac, announced on Instagram that yesterday was the scheduled due date for the couple’s first child.
    Matthew Fairburn, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
  • Investigators and court records have raised concerns about childcare providers that refused inspections, failed to respond to scheduled visits, and reported enrollment numbers that did not align with reality.
    Jennifer Nassour, Boston Herald, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • In some cases, the Bureau paid far more than anticipated for services without verifying whether inmates received appropriate care.
    Walter Pavlo, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Its fiscal second-quarter earnings were 99 cents per share, versus the 98 cents anticipated from analysts polled by FactSet.
    Christina Cheddar Berk,Sarah Min, CNBC, 27 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • By the time Montgomery woke up Sunday, a string of one-star Google reviews awaited Red Bench Pizza — oddly, seemingly generated by a single user.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 27 Jan. 2026
  • Yamagami awaited trial at the Osaka Detention House.
    E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Expected.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expected. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

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