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

As well as transgender women no longer being able to sit on public boards in places reserved for women, it is expected to shape social policymaking on issues such as public changing rooms and women-only spaces. —Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 1 May 2025

The severe weather will focus on Texas, where large hail and damaging wind gusts are expected. —Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 1 May 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