Synonyms of hope

hope 1 of 2

verb

as in to wish

Synonyms & Similar 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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

2

as in confidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

3

as in plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plan
• idea
• wish
• purpose
• aim
• goal
• meaning
• dream
• intention
• objective
• desire
• intent
• object
• mind
• ambition
• aspiration
• design
• end
• thing
• target
• ideal
• point
• project
• mark
• bourn
• 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

For Marvel, the simultaneous glut in content and drop in its quality have had an impact on box office for its feature films, which have not performed as well as the studio had hoped post-Avengers: Endgame. —Eliana Dockterman, Time, 22 Apr. 2025

Image India warmly welcomed Vance Vice President JD Vance began a four-day visit to India yesterday and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at a time when the country hopes to dodge steep U.S. tariffs. —Justin Porter, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Noun

Researchers plan to improve the sensitivity of the tests in the next study in hopes of reducing cases like these. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2025

Prior to the procession, Camerlengo Kevin Farrell, the cardinal tasked with arranging the papal funeral and conclave, held a brief service in the chapel of Casa Santa Marta with a short antiphon of hope. —Caitlin Danaher, CNN Money, 23 Apr. 2025