Synonyms of expecting

expecting 1 of 2

adjective

as in pregnant

containing unborn young within the body

the special nutritional needs of expecting women

Synonyms & Similar Words

• pregnant
• gone
• caught
• expectant
• with young
• big
• gravid
• quick
• with child
• heavy
• enceinte
• prenatal
• conceiving
• childbearing
• parturient
• gestational
• impregnated
• brooding

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• barren
• nonpregnant
• infertile
• delivered
• miscarrying
• aborting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anticipating
• awaiting
• watching (for)
• hoping (for)
• looking for
• predicting
• looking forward to
• waiting (for)
• viewing
• depending (on or upon)
• relying (on or upon)
• counting (on or upon)
• foreseeing
• assuming
• envisioning
• presuming
• envisaging
• contemplating
• banking on
• foretelling
• prophesying
• eyeing
• presupposing

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• questioning
• doubting

Example Sentences

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

From viral clip to real ceramics Przenioslo posted the video without expecting much. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026

By the end of the 2025-26 season, Atletico’s board was expecting an offer to come from Barcelona. — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026

Don’t come expecting to blow a wad of cash on Peaks (there’s very little that costs much, anyway) and most of the stuff that the islanders are so proud of—the quiet beaches, the views, and the breezy walks—is free. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Sep. 2026

And the two sides each confirmed that China would buy 200 Boeing aircraft, though that was fewer than what some investors were expecting. — Kevin Breuninger, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026

At the time, the couple were expecting their first child, Apple Martin. — Mariah Alanskas, PEOPLE, 2 Sep. 2026

McKendrick, who’d been working on the film for several years, always believed in the film but wasn’t expecting so many people to connect with her. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2026

Many experts are expecting a rate hike soon after Fed Chair Kevin Warsh — in a speech last week at a conference of central bankers — left the door open to it if inflation didn't improve. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

Speaking of the defense, many are expecting TCU’s experienced defensive line to have its way with a North Carolina offense that often struggled to score 20 points last season. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Aug. 2026