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 next

as in to wish

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

hope

2 of 2

noun

as in hopefulness

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in confidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in plan

Synonyms & Similar 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

Examples of hope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Many on the committee had hoped the modern pow wow exhibit — created in collaboration with Indigenous people — would continue to be displayed in the museum's new home. —

Frank Vaisvilas, Journal Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2024 Each hopes to help other parents by telling stories of their own loss. —

Jane Pauley, CBS News, 4 Aug. 2024

Noun

Ultimately, his hope is for groups like Dream Orchestra to help people overcome hardships and find joy in life and connection with others. —

Kathleen Toner, CNN, 16 Aug. 2024 World & Nation As Gaza death toll passes 40,000, corpses are buried in yards, streets, tiered graves Aug. 15, 2024 International mediators believe the best hope for calming tensions would be a deal between Israel and Hamas to halt the fighting and secure the release of Israeli hostages. —

Ravi Nessman, Los Angeles Times, 16 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hope

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.