Definition of expectancynext
as in anticipation
the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence that feeling of optimistic expectancy that fills theatergoers as they wait for the curtain to rise

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of expectancy With women’s life average expectancy at 82 years, and many living well into their 90s, some women may experience 30 years of living in retirement independently. — Angie O’Leary, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026 Have no expectations, but rather abundant expectancy. — Literary Hub, 29 Apr. 2026 On the website, officials gave a blanket four hour wait expectancy, and said passengers should plan accordingly. — Irene Wright, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026 Shifts in win expectancy by count, rather than in OPS, are what’s actually meaningful. — Tim Britton, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expectancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectancy
Noun
  • Outside the arena on Tuesday, the crowd thrummed with anticipation.
    — Dan Adler, Vanity Fair, 21 Oct. 2026
  • With just two weeks until the 2026 midterm elections, anticipation and anxiety will only accelerate as social media is rife with the latest polls, early vote data and plenty of rumor.
    — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
Noun
  • Procter & Gamble, Lockheed Martin and CSX were among the latest companies to join the list of those topping profit expectations for the summer, and gains for their stocks helped limit the market's losses Thursday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Communications leaders can help organisations anticipate the expectations those decisions will need to meet, bringing an understanding of customer concerns and public trust into the discussion before commitments are made.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Expectancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectancy. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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