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

This is a prospect that particularly delights Lady Eliza Spencer, Princess Diana’s niece and Prince Harry’s cousin. — Mathilde Engelmann, Vanity Fair, 29 Aug. 2026 His brother Karol was a top light-heavyweight prospect but had to retire after a heart attack. — ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026

Verb

The city tries to keep its idiosyncratic businesses going while prospecting for newcomers. — Roger Vincent, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 Looking down the line, prospects Bo Davidson and Parks Harber, who are both playing for Triple-A Sacramento, could see some time in the Giants’ outfield down the stretch. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 3 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prospect

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospect

Noun

And although, as a survey-style telescope, Roman boasts a wider, faster view of the sky than either Hubble or JWST, McEnery emphasized that doesn’t make these more focused missions obsolete.

— Lee Billings, Scientific American, 31 Aug. 2026
In IconArrows pointing outwards A key feature of the turn into September, which begins a year's third and final act, is that analysts and investors start to calibrate their views of next year.

— Michael Santoli, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of view

Noun

Two healthy scratches may come from this group — Alexander and Jamison-Travis would be candidates as the roster stands now.

— Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Linney’s Guardian tries to draw out some resentment from her new candidate, but John expresses (or feigns) sympathy for Hal, who was betrayed by his father figure Sinestro, an experience John likens to his own complicated upbringing.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of candidate

Noun

As the clock edges toward midnight on October 27, book stores and e-tailers across the globe will be blushing with anticipation.

— Kyle MacNeill, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026
There is much anticipation for closing arguments today, and potentially a verdict, in this case that has captured the nation's attention.

— Sumiko Corley, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of anticipation

Verb

Virtue Asia will present Why Brands Need Entertainment, Not More Content, exploring how brands can move from advertising around culture to actively creating the stories and characters audiences choose to follow.

— Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 27 Aug. 2026
Șerban draws on her own experience to explore identity and belonging from a Roma woman’s perspective.

— Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of explore

Verb

That led Cramer to search for companies that could benefit from lower oil prices while offering downside protection through a sizable dividend.

— Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 26 Aug. 2026
In July, Indigenous leaders in neighboring Brazil sought government protection after five men carrying machine guns entered their territory, threatened families and searched for community leaders.

— Steven Grattan, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of search

Browse Nearby Words

prosers

prospect

prospected

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Style

“Prospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prospect. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of prospect

noun

verb

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