Wait for

Synonyms for wait for
verb expect; predict

count on
foresee
assume
await
forecast
see
conjecture
visualize

figure
prophesy
entertain
foretell
suppose
prognosticate
divine
wait

bargain for
jump the gun
prepare for
be afraid
count chickens
cross the bridge
foretaste
have a hunch

hope for
look for
look forward to
plan on
prevision
promise oneself
see coming
see in the cards

Antonyms for wait for

doubt
be surprised

be amazed
be unready

Synonyms
verb believe strongly; anticipate

foresee
predict
await
forecast
suppose
take
think
hope
conjecture
surmise

look
figure
contemplate
reckon
apprehend
gather
feel
assume
sense
suspect

presume
imagine
divine
understand
trust
presuppose
envisage
calculate
bargain for
count on

foreknow
bargain on
be afraid
hope for
in the cards
look ahead to
look for
look forward to
see coming
watch for

Antonyms

disbelieve
disregard

misunderstand
overlook

neglect
know

Usage Notes

Sometimes considered objectionable in standard usage, the idiom wait on meaning “to wait for, to await (a person)” is largely confined to speech or written representations of speech. It is most common in the Midland and Southern United States: Let’s not wait on Rachel, she’s always late. Wait on or upon (an event) does not have a regional pattern and occurs in a wide variety of contexts: We will wait on (or upon) his answer and make our decision then. The completion of the merger waits upon news of a drop in interest rates.