as in anticipation
the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence
that feeling of optimistic expectancy that fills theatergoers as they wait for the curtain to rise
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Recent Examples of expectancy
In one high-dose psilocybin trial, 94% of participants correctly guessed their treatment allocation with high confidence, leading the authors to call for routine measurement of expectancy and blinding integrity.
—
Ian Reardon, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026
Someone genetically predetermined to live 80 years could reach 85 with healthy habits, while unhealthy lifestyle choices can shorten that expectancy to 75.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Research on expectancy violations shows that relationships suffer most not when expectations are unmet, but when they’re unspoken.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The petition seeks a jury trial and damages exceeding $25,000 for each count, including claims of discrimination, retaliation, defamation, invasion of privacy and interference with contract or business expectancy.
—Benjamin Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectancy
Ian Reardon, STAT, 2 Feb. 2026
Someone genetically predetermined to live 80 years could reach 85 with healthy habits, while unhealthy lifestyle choices can shorten that expectancy to 75.
—Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 29 Jan. 2026
Research on expectancy violations shows that relationships suffer most not when expectations are unmet, but when they’re unspoken.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 21 Jan. 2026
The petition seeks a jury trial and damages exceeding $25,000 for each count, including claims of discrimination, retaliation, defamation, invasion of privacy and interference with contract or business expectancy.
—Benjamin Wheeler, Kansas City Star, 20 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for expectancy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for expectancy
Noun
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On Thursday, a tipster sent us a copy of a similar bulletin drafted by Nissan in anticipation of a similar supply crunch—and an accompanying price hike for service departments.—
Byron Hurd,
The Drive,
15 May 2026
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But the five-time ACM winner explains the anticipation for Sunday night's show is different from a concert.—
Ralphie Aversa,
USA Today,
15 May 2026
Noun
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As a result of the transformations which are the focus of this book, that engine has departed very far from the euphoric expectations of the previous era.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
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The Pistons view him as the coach of the future and the expectation, per league sources, is for Bickerstaff to be around long term.—
Hunter Patterson,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Expectancy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/expectancy. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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