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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.

If they come to expect rising inflation, sometimes higher inflation becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026

So that’s a tricky aspect of it that I didn’t expect.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Investors expect the ECB to raise borrowing costs at the same time after inflation picked up in May to its highest level since September 2023.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

For former France striker Louis Saha, the star showing from Olise was "what we expect from such a player" - and he has a big target in mind.

From BBC • Jun. 9, 2026

How did I expect to get away with such a blatant act of vandalism?

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold




Vocabulary lists containing expect


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