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.
"If progress continues, we can expect systems to be capable of carrying out projects that currently take people months," it added.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
If I announced that Ohio State had bought my college football show, I’d expect to stop being taken seriously when talking about the playoff race.
From Slate • Apr. 7, 2026
Analysts and executives expect cargoes will be in short supply globally for the foreseeable future.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 7, 2026
The party does not expect to form the next Welsh government, but hopes thier policies could form part of negotiations when the Senedd decides who will be the next first minister.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
“It sounds—retributive. Like they expect that you should be punished.”
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.
