HOPE Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

hope 1 of 2

verb

Definition of hope

as in to wish

Related Words

Relevance

hope

2 of 2

noun

as in hopefulness

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in confidence

Related Words

as in plan

Related Words

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of hope

Verb

The votes were based on an implicit, perhaps even desperate, hope that streamlining administration might raise the state’s mediocre levels of academic achievement. — Dan Walters, Mercury News, 14 July 2026 Critics of the deal hope that the lawsuit will force Paramount to abandon its merger dreams altogether, though that seems hard to imagine, and would leave WBD in a weak position. — Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 14 July 2026

Noun

And now that Ormund’s gone after being killed in the most unceremonious of ways, Aegon’s our best hope for some snarky humor a la Tyrion Lannister. — Lorraine Ali, Los Angeles Times, 10 Aug. 2026 Back then, the Saints were a symbol of hope and rebirth in their city, which was still rebuilding from the widespread devastation of Hurricane Katrina four years earlier. — ABC News, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hope

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hope

Verb

McDaniel had his reasons for avoiding supplying his own depth chart beyond not wishing to see it in print or on a website or TV network.

— Elliott Teaford, Oc Register, 10 Aug. 2026
Patients may wish to consider how frequently a doctor performs these procedures when evaluating their experience.

— Connie Etemadi, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of wish

Noun

This learned hopefulness is because in romance novels, goals are readily attainable, multiple pathways to happiness can exist and perseverance is worthwhile.

— Katelyn Frey, The Conversation, 10 July 2026
The other half is King’s reaction, memorized by fans who grew up in the hopefulness of the Rose years.

— Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 11 June 2026

Definition of hopefulness

Noun

In a post on X, Kono, former defense minister under the Abe administration, warned that the plan could undermine confidence in Japan's fiscal position, push interest rates higher and weaken the yen.

— Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2026
The government says the new framework will improve investor confidence by making decisions more predictable while protecting climate integrity and ensuring local communities benefit from carbon market projects.

— ABC News, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of confidence

Noun

Nuclear expansion could drive demand The expected increase in demand is linked in part to US plans to expand domestic nuclear power.

— Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 10 Aug. 2026
If friends tug you into big plans, leave room for edits and ask for feedback tomorrow, since a pause protects your clever mood.

— Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of plan

Verb

In March, as the criminal investigation dragged on and many wondered if Burke would ever face charges, Jane, the girl who frequently messaged with Burke before Rivas Hernandez, dreamt about him on his birthday.

— Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2026
But with this hypothesis the siblings felt they had been given the freedom to dream for the first time—the very time a miracle might just happen.

— Cynthia Zarin, Harpers Magazine, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of dream

Noun

Although the assets of the Children's Trust were ostensibly owned by the trust and not by the Kittrells individually, Murphy Kittrell held those assets to be his own for purposes of guaranteeing his individual obligations.

— Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
The Moon enters Gemini and your 8th House of Intimacy and Shared Resources, stirring questions around trust, money, or emotional exchange.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of trust

Verb

If younger-looking skin is your goal, then Patchology’s Glow Potion Illuminating Superfood Serum is about to become your new BFF.

— Kyra Surgent, InStyle, 5 Aug. 2026
Engineered to protect hair from extreme heat, the Supersonic™ Travel uses intelligent heat control to measure temperature 100 times per second for healthier-looking, softer-feeling hair.

— Condé Nast Traveler, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Aug. 2026

Definition of look

Browse Nearby Words

hop

hope

hope chest

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Style

“Hope.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hope. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of hope

verb

noun

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Synonyms of hope

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

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