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

Houston hopes the remedy the offensive woes with the addition of Texas A&M transfer quarterback Conner Weigman, a former five-star recruit. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025

Officials hope the finds will provide more information about previous inhabitants of Zacatecas and their burial practices. —Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 16 May 2025

Noun

Jayson Tatum’s ruptured Achilles in Game 4 crippled their title hopes. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 17 May 2025

To Update Or Stop Using Browser A 2021 study published in Trends in Psychology suggests that an emotional divorce can involve a multitude of feelings for both parties, including fear, relief, sadness, anger, hope and personal growth. —Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025