prospect 1 of 2

noun

ˈprä-ˌspekt How to pronounce prospect (audio)
Definition of prospectnext
1
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
2
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
3
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
4
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 How to pronounce prospect (audio)
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
Most top prospects get consistent playing time when they’re promoted to the majors, an opportunity to grow accustomed to this level. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 19 May 2026 Someone could share insider information or mention you in a room of potential prospects. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 19 May 2026
Verb
Their minus-34 run differential is second worst, ahead of only the Phillies (minus-43), prompting the team to call up top prospect Bryce Eldridge and C/3B prospect Jesus Rodriguez. —Jeff Sanders, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 May 2026 After a breakout postseason last year, Blue Jays prospect Trey Yesavage is recovered from a shoulder injury and set for his season debut. —Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prospect
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prospect
  1. view
  2. candidate
  3. possibility
  4. anticipation
  5. explore
  6. potential
  7. expectation
  8. search
Noun
  • This view has the political implication that any revolution must first be internal.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • However, some concertgoers said they were frustrated by restrictive views in the floor section, citing the production's tall ramp structures.
    — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 21 May 2026
Definition of view
Noun
  • Baker’s Stanford is a strong candidate, and his book follows in the tradition of Michael Lewis’s Wall Street chronicle Liar’s Poker, but with more pimples and less eye contact.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • Mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt took his campaign to South Los Angeles on Wednesday, in a neighborhood incumbent Mayor Karen Bass represented during her years in Congress.
    — Sandra McDonald, Los Angeles Times, 21 May 2026
Definition of candidate
Noun
  • Many people still associate these feelings of modern belonging with the loftiest human possibilities; hence the powerful emotions that are generated when they are brought together—at the Olympic Games, for instance, or the United Nations headquarters in New York.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
  • From 2022 to 2024, a study looked into the possibility of an east-west streetcar connecting the University of Kansas Medical Center and the VA Hospital along 39th Street and Linwood Boulevard.
    — Eleanor Nash May 18, Kansas City Star, 18 May 2026
Definition of possibility
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of anticipation
Verb
  • Cars are banned, so visitors get around on foot or by golf cart; however, the island is arguably best explored by boat.
    — Nicky Swallow, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2026
  • And with more than 20 miles of trails on the property to explore, the natural surroundings here cannot help but enhance members’ mental and physical well-being.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 16 May 2026
Definition of explore
Noun
  • That potential is why the Bills chose to exercise the fifth-year option from his rookie contract despite recurring medical frustrations.
    — Tim Graham, New York Times, 21 May 2026
  • Hormones take the child’s body at puberty and conjure from it the adult form, directing the ovaries to mature their eggs or the testicles to produce sperm, each of these gametes containing the potential to create new life.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Definition of potential
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Definition of expectation
Verb
  • To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching).
    — Fiction Non Fiction, Literary Hub, 21 May 2026
  • After the disturbing death of Reverend Bryce at the end of last week’s episode of Widow’s Bay, Tom, Wyck, and Patricia search his office for clues that might explain why this seemingly lucid man of the cloth suddenly hung himself.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 20 May 2026
Definition of search

Browse Nearby Words

prosers
prospect
prospected
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prospect.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prospect. Accessed 22 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on prospect

Nglish: Translation of prospect for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about prospect

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