Thesaurus results for EXPECTATION

expectation

noun

ˌek-ˌspek-ˈtā-shən

Definition of expectation

as in anticipation

the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence in expectation of a harsh winter, we budgeted more money than usual for the cost of heating our home

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 expectation Because of crowd expectations, Turnstile is setting up its own stage instead of using the Sylvan. — Hannah Knowles, Washington Post, 23 Oct. 2026 The change comes a year after Pullin was formally inaugurated with high expectations for TCU’s growth. — Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 Revenue from top brands including HOKA and UGG missing FactSet expectations. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 23 Oct. 2026 Our state got to work raising K-12 expectations, increasing the rigor of our end-of-year state tests, and improving classroom practices. — Lamar Alexander, Time, 23 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for expectation

Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectation

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

Definition of anticipation

Noun

And there’s this sort of strange, ghostly expectancy, which is quite weird, a mixture of apprehension and fear.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
When a call is overturned, Baseball Savant measures the difference in run expectancy between the situation before the pitch/challenge and the situation after the call is flipped.

— Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of expectancy

Browse Nearby Words

expectants

expectation

expectations

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

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Synonyms of expectation

noun

Example Sentences

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