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 next

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

Examples 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

Dividend growth stocks offer investors a combination of portfolio income and the prospect of capital appreciation, according to Wolfe Research. —

Darla Mercado, Cfp®, CNBC, 17 Jan. 2025 Vintage Chicago Tribune: The pardon of ‘Tokyo Rose’ Job prospects in Japan were limited. —

Steve Rosenberg, Chicago Tribune, 16 Jan. 2025

Verb

Parry says scientists are not done prospecting for fossils at the site. —

Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 29 Oct. 2024 After acquiring Juan Soto in free agency, Mets prospect Luisangel Acuna is tearing it up in the Venezuelan Winter League. —

Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for prospect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospect

Noun

The 2011 video has since surpassed over 20 million views as of January 2025.

— Zoey Lyttle, People.com, 20 Jan. 2025
In Norway, the show launched earlier this month, and its first episode has now consolidated to over a million views, according to producers — no mean feat in a country of just over five million people.

— Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 20 Jan. 2025