Synonyms of expect

expect 1 of 3

verb (1)

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

expected

2 of 3

adjective

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

• scheduled
• anticipated
• due
• slated
• awaited

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• late
• early
• delinquent
• belated
• overdue
• behind
• tardy
• premature
• dilatory
• unanticipated
• unforeseen
• latish
• untimely
• behindhand
• unlooked-for

expected

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of expect

as in anticipated

to believe in the future occurrence of (something)

we expect their arrival late this afternoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anticipated
• awaited
• predicted
• hoped (for)
• watched (for)
• looked forward to
• looked for
• viewed
• envisioned
• envisaged
• relied (on or upon)
• counted (on or upon)
• waited (for)
• foresaw
• depended (on or upon)
• assumed
• presumed
• prophesied
• contemplated
• foretold
• banked on
• presupposed
• eyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• questioned
• doubted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of expect

Verb

Eberechi Eze is expected to start Crystal Palace’s opening Premier League match against Chelsea on Sunday amid ongoing interest from Tottenham Hotspur. —David Ornstein, New York Times, 17 Aug. 2025

When excluding volatile food and energy prices, the core CPI is expected to rise 0.3% monthly and 3.1% yearly. —CNBC, 17 Aug. 2025

Verb

The Arsenal forward suffered a hamstring injury which required surgery on Arsenal’s mid-season trip to Dubai in February and was expected to aim for a return in pre-season. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

Talks are expected to progress in the coming weeks. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025