Synonyms of hope

hope 1 of 2

verb

as in to wish

Related Words

• wish
• dream
• look
• mean
• purpose
• intend
• plan
• propose
• aim
• aspire
• try
• contemplate
• consider
• design
• purport
• attempt
• ponder
• calculate
• allow
• strive
• struggle
• debate
• endeavor
• meditate
• go
• achieve
• scheme
• accomplish
• mull (over)
• plot
• effect
• perform
• execute

hope

2 of 2

noun

1

as in hopefulness

Related Words

• hopefulness
• cheerfulness
• brightness
• idealism
• optimism
• rosiness
• sunniness
• perkiness
• meliorism
• sanguinity
• bullishness

Dissimilar Words

• concern
• pessimism
• skepticism
• caution
• apprehension
• despair
• cynicism
• desperation
• hopelessness
• discouragement
• bearishness
• gloom
• realism
• pragmatism
• bleakness
• disheartenment
• gloominess
• dreariness
• cheerlessness

2

as in confidence

Related Words

• confidence
• trust
• faith
• assurance
• certainty
• conviction
• acceptance
• credence
• stock
• surety
• positiveness
• assuredness
• certitude
• sureness
• reliance
• credit
• dependence

3

as in plan

Related Words

• plan
• idea
• wish
• purpose
• aim
• goal
• meaning
• dream
• intention
• objective
• desire
• intent
• mind
• object
• ambition
• design
• aspiration
• end
• thing
• target
• ideal
• point
• project
• mark
• bourne
• pretension
• scheme
• plot
• destination
• holy grail
• grail
• destination
• terminus
• terminus

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hope contrast with its synonyms?

The words expect and look are common synonyms of hope. While all three words mean "to await some occurrence or outcome," 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 expect a more appropriate choice than hope?

In some situations, the words expect and hope are roughly equivalent. However, expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning.

expects to be finished by Tuesday

When would look be a good substitute for hope?

While the synonyms look and hope are close in meaning, 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 hope

Verb

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) could help stop the uncontrolled proliferation of satellites in Earth orbit, which threatens to erase stars from the sky, astronomers hope. — Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 28 Sep. 2026

To consider it as the certain wish of every being who could hope to influence you! — Louis Menand, New Yorker, 21 Sep. 2026

Noun

Too $hort also expressed his hope that Combs’ time behind bars could rehabilitate him from his abusive ways while attributing his own backlash as an educational experience. — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 5 Oct. 2026

The Heat struggled at times against the league’s elite defenses, but the hope and belief is the addition of an elite superstar like Antetokounmpo will help in those situations this season. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026