expect
Usage
What are other ways to say expect?
The verb expect implies confidently believing, usually for good reasons, that an event will occur: to expect a visit from a friend. To anticipate is to look forward to an event and even to picture it: Do you anticipate trouble? Hope implies a wish that an event may take place and an expectation that it will: to hope for the best. Await (wait for) implies being alert and ready, whether for good or evil: to await news after a cyclone.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Virgin Galactic has lost almost $2 billion over the last five years, but analysts polled by FactSet expect the annual losses to narrow significantly in 2026 and 2027.
From Barron's • Apr. 6, 2026
But it’s only allowed for people who didn’t owe taxes the previous year and don’t expect to owe this year.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026
SoCal residents can expect up to 1 inch of rain, Rose Schoenfeld, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told The Times.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 6, 2026
"A local food and beverage supplier has recently explained to us that they have been notified of fuel surcharges on delivery to the island, and we can expect that will get passed onto us."
From BBC • Apr. 6, 2026
“Or maybe I’ll just arrive late and expect special treatment,” I muttered under my breath.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
