Synonyms of hope

hope 1 of 2

verb

as in to wish

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wish
• dream
• look
• mean
• purpose
• intend
• plan
• propose
• aim
• aspire
• try
• contemplate
• consider
• design
• purport
• attempt
• ponder
• calculate
• allow
• strive
• struggle
• debate
• endeavor
• meditate
• go
• achieve
• scheme
• accomplish
• mull (over)
• plot
• effect
• perform
• execute

hope

2 of 2

noun

1

as in hopefulness

Synonyms & Similar Words

• hopefulness
• cheerfulness
• brightness
• idealism
• optimism
• rosiness
• sunniness
• perkiness
• meliorism
• sanguinity
• bullishness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• concern
• pessimism
• skepticism
• caution
• apprehension
• despair
• cynicism
• desperation
• hopelessness
• discouragement
• bearishness
• gloom
• realism
• pragmatism
• bleakness
• disheartenment
• gloominess
• dreariness
• cheerlessness

2

as in confidence

Synonyms & Similar Words

• confidence
• trust
• faith
• assurance
• certainty
• credence
• conviction
• acceptance
• stock
• surety
• positiveness
• assuredness
• certitude
• sureness
• reliance
• credit
• dependence
• dependance

3

as in plan

Synonyms & Similar Words

• plan
• idea
• wish
• purpose
• aim
• goal
• meaning
• dream
• intention
• objective
• desire
• intent
• object
• mind
• ambition
• aspiration
• design
• end
• thing
• target
• ideal
• point
• project
• mark
• bourn
• bourne
• pretension
• scheme
• plot
• destination
• holy grail
• grail
• destination
• terminus
• terminus

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

Recent Examples of hope

Verb

Through his new projects, Shawn hopes to introduce a new generation to his father’s legacy—not just as a cookie tycoon, but as a cultural disruptor. —Jasmine Browley, Essence, 9 Apr. 2025

The Canucks, whose playoff hopes were already on the ropes, were set to hit a major roadblock with another defeat. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Noun

Tack on a pair of empty-netters, and the 4-1 final is a virtual dagger to the Red Wings’ already faint playoff hopes. —Max Bultman, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2025

That aforementioned hope dwindles when Natalia finds Kristine’s book at the library, only to find her existence has been erased from the Barnett family. —Barry Levitt, Time, 9 Apr. 2025