prospect 1 of 2

1
as in view
all that can be seen from a certain point gazing at the wide prospect spread out before me

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2
3
as in possibility
something that can develop or become actual one highly desirable prospect for the city is a major-league franchise

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4
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

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prospect

2 of 2

verb

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

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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
But Zeigler’s only 5-foot-9 and is thus not regarded as an NBA prospect. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 June 2025 The news arrives as Tesla’s long-term prospects may increasingly depend on the success of its robotaxi strategy. Will McCurdy, PC Magazine, 7 June 2025
Verb
Job prospects Students in the Campbell Union High School District signed letters of intent on May 6 not for sports teams but for apprenticeships, job offers or advanced technical training in Construction Technology and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC). Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 18 May 2025 Kansas City Royals prospect Jac Caglianone is one step closer to the big leagues. Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for prospect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospect
Noun
  • In November, the ESA released images the Solar Orbiter obtained in March 2023 that the agency said are the highest-resolution views of the sun's surface, known as the photosphere, to date.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 13 June 2025
  • His lawyers, meanwhile, challenged the legality of Khalil’s detention and contend he was targeted for his pro-Palestinian views in violation of his constitutional rights.
    Andy Rose, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • The early-season Cy Young candidate and All-Star hopeful now has a 1.78 ERA 13 starts into his Yankees career.
    Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 6 June 2025
  • That represents a huge decline from 2008, the climax of the Barack Obama coalition, when the Democratic candidate won 62% of the young male vote against GOP challenger John McCain.
    Josh Hammer, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • The sequel features a living world rich with possibilities and places a heavy emphasis on story, role-playing elements, and player freedom.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 9 June 2025
  • And a time before unlimited texting was even a possibility, the DS wireless capability turned the Pictochat feature into an unlimited place for discussion and connection between friends.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 9 June 2025
Noun
  • This doesn’t mean that anyone should chase emotionally unavailable partners, but confirms that creating a little bit of mystery can increase anticipation and likely, attraction.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
  • Netflix has worked to keep anticipation high with behind-the-scenes footage, set photos, and promises that the wait will be worth it.
    Randall Colburn, EW.com, 2 June 2025
Verb
  • Kids can splash in the gentle surf, explore interactive splash pads, or climb and play at the colorful beachfront playground, all just steps from the sand.
    Rita Wells, Miami Herald, 13 June 2025
  • From adding color to her wardrobe to making meals for her children, Taylor told WWD that she is often refueled by stepping away from her work and loves to explore art and culture for inspiration.
    Alexandra Pastore, Footwear News, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • The potential for chaos and confusion in an evacuation became all-too-apparent last December, when a magnitude 7 earthquake struck about 30 miles off the Humboldt County coast.
    Rong-Gong Lin II, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • There is no denying the talent and potential, but now Sanders needs to put in the work.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 June 2025
Noun
  • By adopting a startup growth mindset, leaders can stay ahead of changing expectations.
    Botir Nasridinov, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Yet the series skewers any audience expectations about, well, everything.
    Carole Horst, Variety, 13 June 2025
Verb
  • In the days ahead, Israel’s superior intelligence apparatus will search for targets of opportunity - commanders and equipment changing location, or the movement of materiel to facilitate a response – and continue to strike.
    Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 13 June 2025
  • The Illinois Trust Act prohibits police from searching, arresting or detaining people solely because of their immigration status.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Prospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prospect. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.

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