PROSPECT Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'prospect' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prospect are anticipation , foretaste , and outlook . While all these words mean "an advance realization of something to come," prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern. // the prospect of a quiet weekend

Q: When might 'anticipation' be a better fit than 'prospect'?

The words anticipation and prospect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen. // the anticipation of her arrival

Q: Where would 'foretaste' be a reasonable alternative to 'prospect'?

The synonyms foretaste and prospect are sometimes interchangeable, but foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming. // the frost was a foretaste of winter

Q: When could 'outlook' be used to replace 'prospect'?

Although the words outlook and prospect have much in common, outlook suggests a forecasting of the future. // a favorable outlook for the economy

prospect 1 of 2

noun

ˈprä-ˌspekt

Definition of prospect

as in view

all that can be seen from a certain point gazing at the wide prospect spread out before me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in candidate

one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award a good prospect for the position of auditor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in possibility

something that can develop or become actual one highly desirable prospect for the city is a major-league franchise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in anticipation

the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence the prospect of a quiet, restful Sunday ended when our basement flooded

Synonyms & Similar Words

prospect

2 of 2

verb

ˈprä-ˌspekt

as in to explore

to go into or range over for purposes of discovery soon all manner of people had arrived in the valley to prospect it for gold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prospect differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prospect are anticipation, foretaste, and outlook. While all these words mean "an advance realization of something to come," prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

When might anticipation be a better fit than prospect?

The words anticipation and prospect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

Where would foretaste be a reasonable alternative to prospect?

The synonyms foretaste and prospect are sometimes interchangeable, but foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

When could outlook be used to replace prospect?

Although the words outlook and prospect have much in common, outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

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 prospect

Noun

The film’s strongest awards prospect is probably Andrew Garfield, who gives a tour de force turn as Altman, and who will compete in the genre-blending supporting actor race. — Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 30 Oct. 2026 Some of the better prospects who now need to be protected, if the Marlins choose not to expose them, include third basemen Brayden Taylor, outfielder Kemp Alderman and pitchers Karson Milbrandt, Josh White, Nigel Belgrave and Jace Beck. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2026

Verb

Can any of them stake a claim to a rotation spot and save the team some money and/or prospects this offseason? — Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 2026 Included in the roster of G League and international talent are former Heat players Orlando Robinson and Cole Swider, as well as former Heat camp prospects DeJon Jareau and James Nunnally. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prospect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospect

Noun

Someone can always point to a fringe view that’s backed up by a different source somewhere on the Internet.

— Gavin Francis, The New York Review of Books, 24 Oct. 2026
One of the two fake videos racked up roughly 857,000 views within 24 hours, according to an analysis by Alethea, a threat intelligence company.

— Shannon Bond, NPR, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of view

Noun

If El-Sayed loses, there will be a fight over blame between Democrats who spent tens of millions of dollars to support him and progressives who’ll argue that the party establishment can’t be trusted when leftist candidates win a nomination.

— Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
John James and Mike Rogers, while both Republicans, are very different political candidates running markedly different campaigns against two very different opponents.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 2 Nov. 2026

Definition of candidate

Noun

The simple act of a child pedaling down empty hotel hallways on a Big Wheel builds anticipation, terrifying us with what may be around each corner.

— Radhika Seth, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2026
People had already moved away in fear and anticipation, and the streets were lined with newly vacant shops and empty apartment buildings with curtains blowing out open windows.

— Michael Kiefer, Washington Post, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of anticipation

Verb

The proof of concept combines robotic manipulation, AI and virtual simulation to explore how robots can pick components from containers and arrange them in the correct order for vehicle assembly.

— Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026
Recast as geometry, the old identities now point toward unmapped territory, raising questions that mathematicians are eager to explore.

— Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of explore

Noun

The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that sodium-ion battery production remains heavily concentrated in China, despite the potential for more geographically diverse raw-material supplies.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Nov. 2026
Any early commentary on 2027 will be notable, as investors consider the potential for upside amid the AI buildout.

— Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 1 Nov. 2026

Definition of potential

Noun

Like Blonde on Blonde, Drukqs was the prolonged exhalation that closed its maker’s years as a celebrity at the vanguard of a genre and inaugurated a long period of reflection and tinkering away from the light of public expectation.

— Andy Cush, Pitchfork, 31 Oct. 2026
For better or worse, voters also have low expectations about the impact of a potentially historic election.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of expectation

Verb

Meanwhile, Trumpworld searched frantically for scapegoats to deflect blame that the electoral bloodbath was a rebuke of the president and his agenda.

— Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 4 Nov. 2026
John Probst, president of NASCAR Event Management, said the sanctioning body continues to search for additional manufacturers and noted that an appealing entry point could coincide with a new engine platform planned between 2030 and 2032.

— CBS News, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of search

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prosers

prospect

prospected

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“Prospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prospect. Accessed 4 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of prospect

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verb

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