Synonyms of expect

expect 1 of 3

verb (1)

ik-ˈspekt 

as in to anticipate

to believe in the future occurrence of (something)

we expect their arrival late this afternoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anticipate
• await
• hope (for)
• predict
• watch (for)
• look for
• look forward to
• foresee
• rely (on or upon)
• envision
• depend (on or upon)
• wait (for)
• view
• assume
• count (on or upon)
• presume
• envisage
• contemplate
• presuppose
• foretell
• bank on
• eye
• prophesy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• question
• doubt

expected

2 of 3

adjective

as in scheduled

being in accordance with the prescribed, normal, or logical course of events

the children did their chores, but not without the expected whining

Synonyms & Similar Words

• scheduled
• anticipated
• due
• slated
• awaited

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• late
• early
• delinquent
• belated
• overdue
• behind
• tardy
• premature
• dilatory
• unanticipated
• unforeseen
• latish
• untimely
• behindhand
• unlooked-for

expected

3 of 3

verb (2)

past tense of expect

as in anticipated

to believe in the future occurrence of (something)

we expect their arrival late this afternoon

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anticipated
• awaited
• predicted
• hoped (for)
• watched (for)
• looked forward to
• looked for
• viewed
• envisioned
• envisaged
• relied (on or upon)
• counted (on or upon)
• waited (for)
• foresaw
• depended (on or upon)
• assumed
• presumed
• prophesied
• contemplated
• foretold
• banked on
• presupposed
• eyed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• questioned
• doubted

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of expect

Verb

The Trump administration’s message follows in that tradition, while also preparing for what’s expected to be a high-profile semiquincentennial year. —Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 19 Apr. 2025

Residents of Phoenix are expected to have their first 100-degree high any day now. —Naveena Sadasivam, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025

Verb

The Arsenal forward suffered a hamstring injury which required surgery on Arsenal’s mid-season trip to Dubai in February and was expected to aim for a return in pre-season. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025

Talks are expected to progress in the coming weeks. —Luke Smith, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2025