PROSPECT Synonyms: 82 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the noun 'prospect' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prospect are anticipation , foretaste , and outlook . While all these words mean "an advance realization of something to come," prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern. // the prospect of a quiet weekend

Q: When might 'anticipation' be a better fit than 'prospect'?

The words anticipation and prospect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen. // the anticipation of her arrival

Q: Where would 'foretaste' be a reasonable alternative to 'prospect'?

The synonyms foretaste and prospect are sometimes interchangeable, but foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming. // the frost was a foretaste of winter

Q: When could 'outlook' be used to replace 'prospect'?

Although the words outlook and prospect have much in common, outlook suggests a forecasting of the future. // a favorable outlook for the economy

prospect 1 of 2

noun

ˈprä-ˌspekt

Definition of prospect

as in view

all that can be seen from a certain point gazing at the wide prospect spread out before me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

as in candidate

one who seeks an office, honor, position, or award a good prospect for the position of auditor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in possibility

something that can develop or become actual one highly desirable prospect for the city is a major-league franchise

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in anticipation

the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence the prospect of a quiet, restful Sunday ended when our basement flooded

Synonyms & Similar Words

prospect

2 of 2

verb

ˈprä-ˌspekt

as in to explore

to go into or range over for purposes of discovery soon all manner of people had arrived in the valley to prospect it for gold

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun prospect differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of prospect are anticipation, foretaste, and outlook. While all these words mean "an advance realization of something to come," prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

When might anticipation be a better fit than prospect?

The words anticipation and prospect are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

Where would foretaste be a reasonable alternative to prospect?

The synonyms foretaste and prospect are sometimes interchangeable, but foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

When could outlook be used to replace prospect?

Although the words outlook and prospect have much in common, outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

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 prospect

Noun

What OpenAI brings is the prospect of putting something much closer to the current ChatGPT voice experience permanently into the room. — New Atlas, 15 Aug. 2026 The subpar rankings, in turn, could dramatically limit business prospects. — Mike Feibus, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2026

Verb

The arena serves as the home arena for the Quebec Remparts of the QMJHL and has been prospected as a venue for a new or re-located National Hockey League team in Quebec City. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026 That reality came to a head for one young backstop in the system last week when the Blue Jays moved on from four-year Minnesota Twins prospect Patrick Winkel. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for prospect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospect

Noun

In those entries, Fauci discussed his views on the origins of the coronavirus — a topic Paul has accused Fauci of issuing misleading statements on, which Fauci has long denied.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 11 Aug. 2026
The stream will feature expert commentary on the science of the eclipse along with live views from telescopes at the Observatorio Astrofisco de Javalambre, which is located close to the Spanish city of Teruel directly in the path of totality.

— Anthony Wood, Space.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of view

Noun

Another candidate, 27-year-old progressive organizer and substitute teacher Elijah Manley, said Republicans’ redistricting ploy is not Wasserman Schultz’s fault.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
But there are only so many roster spots, and Berrios has emerged as a likely candidate to secure one given his versatility on special teams.

— Charlotte Carroll, New York Times, 16 Aug. 2026

Definition of candidate

Verb

The research, published in Chem Circularity, explores a system based on calcium looping, a process that uses the same basic material—limestone—that is already central to cement manufacturing.

— Prabhat Ranjan Mishra, Interesting Engineering, 13 Aug. 2026
Art fairs, collectors’ homes, artists’ studios, galas… The film is a welcoming and entertaining dive amongst the 1% and explores the complicated relationship between artists and commerce.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of explore

Noun

When, in late 2025, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi signaled the potential for Japan to intervene in a conflict over Taiwan, China suspended more than $86 million in purchases of Japanese seafood and sake.

— Caitlin Welsh, Foreign Affairs, 11 Aug. 2026
Clinicians understand the pressures facing care delivery and see the potential of AI to help healthcare work better for them and their patients.

— Jeff DiLullo, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of potential

Noun

Yet the expectation is not to have every player at peak condition on the opening day of a league season, and very rarely do outfield players play the full 90 minutes in any conventional friendly.

— George Edwards, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
The Virgo Moon moves through your 7th House of Partnership, bringing attention to agreements, expectations, and the balance between your needs and someone else’s.

— Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of expectation

Verb

Authorities are searching for the driver of a van who struck a man in a wheelchair in Dania Beach and fled the scene, leaving the victim injured and his wheelchair damaged.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 13 Aug. 2026
Right-wingers Manchester United have spent years searching for a long-term option on the right, and place three swings of the bat on this list.

— Anantaajith Raghuraman, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of search

Browse Nearby Words

prosers

prospect

prospected

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Prospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prospect. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of prospect

noun

verb

Synonym Chooser

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on prospect

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

lackadaisical

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Do you 'say your piece' or 'say your peace'?

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Is “GIF” Pronounced “Jiff” or “Giff”?

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

Games & Quizzes