HOPE Synonyms: 106 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'hope' contrast with its synonyms?

The words expect and look are common synonyms of hope . While all three words mean "to await some occurrence or outcome," hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen. // hopes to find a job soon

Q: When is 'expect' a more appropriate choice than 'hope'?

In some situations, the words expect and hope are roughly equivalent. However, expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning. // expects to be finished by Tuesday

Q: When would 'look' be a good substitute for 'hope'?

While the synonyms look and hope are close in meaning, look , with to , implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled; with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness. // looks to a tidy profit from the sale // look for rain when the wind shifts to the northeast

hope 1 of 2

verb

Definition of hope

as in to wish

Related Words

Relevance

hope

2 of 2

noun

as in hopefulness

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

as in confidence

Related Words

as in plan

Related Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb hope contrast with its synonyms?

The words expect and look are common synonyms of hope. While all three words mean "to await some occurrence or outcome," hope implies little certainty but suggests confidence or assurance in the possibility that what one desires or longs for will happen.

hopes to find a job soon

When is expect a more appropriate choice than hope?

In some situations, the words expect and hope are roughly equivalent. However, expect implies a high degree of certainty and usually involves the idea of preparing or envisioning.

expects to be finished by Tuesday

When would look be a good substitute for hope?

While the synonyms look and hope are close in meaning, look, with to, implies assurance that expectations will be fulfilled; with for it implies less assurance and suggests an attitude of expectancy and watchfulness.

looks to a tidy profit from the sale

look for rain when the wind shifts to the northeast

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 hope

Verb

In Busan, the producers hope to meet potential partners and collaborators, film funds and co-production opportunities. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 12 Oct. 2026 That was the sentiment for Republican officials in Tulare County, where local economic boosters hope to see housing growth as people leave the state’s more expensive coast. — Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

Noun

In Britain, the return of the Brexit debate has stirred mixed feelings of hope, opposition and dread. — ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026 There was hope that the offensive line could be the program’s best since 2022, when Ricker helped develop one of the best offensive lines in the country led by Steve Avila, Alan Ali and Brandon Coleman. — Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 27 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hope

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hope

Verb

For customers wishing to upgrade older Fireflys, costs come in at around $2,500 (17,000 Yuan) for full purchase or a $450 (3,000 Yuan) service fee for BaaS customers.

— Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 24 Oct. 2026
The 11,000-square-foot penthouse in question is being designed by Ferris Rafauli for its current owner, who wishes to remain anonymous.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of wish

Noun

Unfortunately, South Korea’s situation is becoming more precarious — and thus conflict more likely — as Kim’s confidence grows and resolve weakens in Seoul and Washington.

— Dan Blumenthal, Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2026
The Field Partner Program began as a pilot in 2025 and is scaling with the 2026 crop, helping brands support regenerative agriculture goals with confidence.

— SJ Studio, Footwear News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of confidence

Noun

The plan is to find candidates from families that renounced their royal status in 1947, which at the time was to ease the postwar financial burden on the monarchy.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026
Swift's childhood was tailor-made for a Hallmark movie—but the future pop star already had other plans.

— Ilaria Perrotta, Vanity Fair, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of plan

Noun

East Aurora coach Nathan Parry trusts Montano in those situations, and that trust was rewarded handsomely Tuesday.

— Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 28 Oct. 2026
Beyond payment speed, Mastercard is also looking to incorporate blockchain and identity data to establish the same level of trust expected across other payment systems, Driver said.

— Jenny Lee, CNBC, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of trust

Noun

Our research and engineering remain world-class, but our record of getting ideas to market and improving how products are made has been less stellar.

— Rick Lazio, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
It has also been designed as a neighborhood gathering space, with Apartment at 365, the physical space representing the Happier pillar of discovery, idea exchange, community, creativity and collaboration.

— Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of idea

Verb

The hopeful part is the part where the people who are dealing with the consequences of that look toward their community, look toward their friends, look toward the people around them for support, for help, for unity—all of those sorts of things.

— Sam Macdonald, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
Only two decades ago, my family looked West for a treatment for my grandmother that was unavailable in China.

— Ruby Wang, semafor.com, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of look

Browse Nearby Words

hop

hope

hope chest

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Style

“Hope.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hope. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of hope

verb

noun

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Synonyms of hope

verb

noun

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

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