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expect

[ik-spekt] / ɪkˈspɛkt /




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.

I also don't expect Angela Rayner to say she'd take a tilt at the job this weekend, though she'll make plain her concerns about the direction of the party.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

Researchers expect that number to climb as populations age and diabetes becomes more common.

From Science Daily • May 9, 2026

No one should expect a boom in EV sales based on current fuel prices.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

On the economic front, they expect the agenda to reinforce short-term stabilization in bilateral relations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

“He didn’t expect you to be enterprising enough to take pictures of the files and call the phone numbers and meet with me.”

From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix




Vocabulary lists containing expect