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.
Does that become a bigger challenge than you expect?
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026
“A Screaming Life” isn’t a massive tome, but it still manages to dive deep when it matters, and also when you least expect it to.
From Salon • Jun. 9, 2026
If they come to expect rising inflation, sometimes higher inflation becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 9, 2026
They expect to see an improvement on a 10% lift in collections per donor, which they say will help offset price and competitive pressures.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026
“What—babies were flying the plane? You expect me to believe that? ‘
From "Found" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Vocabulary lists containing expect
"Eleven"
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List 5
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Think
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