v. 1
To predict or believe that something will happen
The hostage is expected to be released later today.
v. 2
To consider reasonably due.
How am I expected to reach the next level?
v. 3
To wait for; to await.
v. 4
To consider obligatory or required.
England expects that every man will do his duty.

Related words

Word family: expected expecting expectancy expectant expectation

Forms

Past participle: expected
e.g. expected → wanted, hoped, wished, trusted…

Choose the right word

Expect, Expects or Hope?

We expect that which we have good reason to believe will happen; as, a boy expects to grow to manhood. We hope for that which we much desire and somewhat expect.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

hope I hope he'll be able to come! I'd like to see him.
wish I wish I could go with you, but as it is, I can't.
trust Trust people, but don't take candy from strangers.
anticipate I didn't anticipate that there would be a problem.
await Take heart, then, brave ones, our homes await you.

Popularity over time

Word	1850 → 2019	Trend
expect		steady
hope		steady
wish		steady
trust		rising
anticipate		steady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters: ask¹
4 letters: want¹, look¹, hope¹, wait¹, wish¹, bear¹, bide¹
5 letters: think¹, trust¹, carry², await², abide²
6 letters: demand²
7 letters: require³, foresee², gestate²
9 letters: apprehend³
10 letters: anticipate⁴

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (carry² = 2 syllables).