Synonyms of 'expect'

expect

Explore 'expect' in the dictionary

1 (verb) in the sense of think

Definition

to regard as likely

We expect the talks will continue until tomorrow.

Synonyms

think

I think he'll do a great job for us.

believe

I believe you have something of mine.

suppose

The problem was more complex than he supposed.

assume

It is a mistake to assume that the two are similar.

trust

We trust that they are considering our suggestion.

imagine

I imagine you're referring to me.

reckon (informal)

He reckoned he was still fond of her.

forecast

They forecast a defeat for the Prime Minister.

calculate

presume

I presume you're here on business.

foresee

conjecture

This may or may not be true; we are all conjecturing here.

surmise

She surmised that they had discovered one of the illegal streets.

think likely

See examples for synonyms

2 (verb) in the sense of anticipate

Definition

to look forward to or be waiting for

I wasn't expecting to see you today.

Synonyms

anticipate

We could not have anticipated the result of our campaigning.

look forward to

predict

envisage

Scientists envisage a major breakthrough in the next few years.

await

Little was said as we awaited the arrival of the chairman.

hope for

contemplate

He contemplated a career as an army medical doctor.

bargain for

look ahead to

See examples for synonyms

3 (verb) in the sense of require

Definition

to require (something) as an obligation

He expects total obedience and blind loyalty from his staff.

Synonyms

require

A baby requires warmth and physical security.

demand

The task demands much patience and hard work.

want

The grass wants cutting.

wish

I will do as you wish.

look for

call for

ask for

hope for

insist on

count on

rely upon

See examples for synonyms

Additional synonyms

in the sense of assume

Definition

to take to be true without proof

It is a mistake to assume that the two are similar.

Synonyms

presume,

think,

believe,

expect,

accept,

suppose,

imagine,

suspect,

guess (informal),

take it,

fancy,

take for granted,

infer,

conjecture,

postulate (formal),

surmise,

presuppose

in the sense of await

Definition

to wait for

Little was said as we awaited the arrival of the chairman.

Synonyms

wait for,

expect,

look for,

look forward to,

anticipate,

stay for

in the sense of believe

Definition

to think, assume, or suppose

I believe you have something of mine.

Synonyms

think,

consider,

judge,

suppose,

maintain,

estimate,

imagine,

assume,

gather,

guess (informal),

reckon,

conclude,

deem,

speculate,

presume,

conjecture,

postulate (formal),

surmise

Video: pronunciation of
expect

Nearby words of
expect

expansive
expatiate
expatriate
expect
expectancy
expectant
expectation
All ENGLISH synonyms that begin with 'E'

Source

Thesaurus for expect from the Collins English Thesaurus

1 2 3

New from Collins

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

hoard or horde?

Which version is correct?

They began to hoard food and save money. They began to horde food and save money.

knot or not?

Which version is correct?

One lace had broken and been tied in a knot. One lace had broken and been tied in a not.

gone or went?

Which version is correct?

I gone home at the weekend. I went home at the weekend.

gorilla or guerilla?

Which version is correct?

It was the beginning of a gorilla war. It was the beginning of a guerilla war.

flew or flu?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

flew

flu

The plane through the clouds.

Your score:

Jan 17, 2021

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Scrabble score
for 'expect':
17

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

beach or beech?

Which version is correct?

We set off for a day at the beach. We set off for a day at the beech.

populace or populous?

Which version is correct?

She was greatly respected by the local populace. She was greatly respected by the local populous.

who's or whose?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

Who's

Whose

there?

tea or tee?

Which version is correct?

Would you like some tea? Would you like some tee?

berth or birth?

Drag the correct answer into the box.

berth

birth

The yacht has only one .

Your score:

Updating our Usage

There are many diverse influences on the way that English is used across the world today. We look at some of the ways in which the language is changing. Read our series of blogs to find out more. October 30, 2020 Read more

Synonyms of 'expect'

expect

Additional synonyms

Video: pronunciation of expect

Nearby words of expect

Source

Video: pronunciation of
expect

Nearby words of
expect