anticipate

[ an-tis-uh-peyt ]

verb (used with object)

, an·tic·i·pat·ed, an·tic·i·pat·ing.

1. to realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee:

   to anticipate pleasure.

2. to expect; look forward to; be sure of:

   to anticipate a favorable decision.

3. to perform (an action) before another has had time to act.
4. to answer (a question), obey (a command), or satisfy (a request) before it is made:

   He anticipated each of my orders.

5. to nullify, prevent, or forestall by taking countermeasures in advance:

   to anticipate a military attack.

   Synonyms: avert, obviate, preclude

6. to consider or mention before the proper time:

   to anticipate more difficult questions.

7. to be before (another) in doing, thinking, achieving, etc.:

   Many modern inventions were anticipated by Leonardo da Vinci.

8. Finance.
   1. to expend (funds) before they are legitimately available for use.
   2. to discharge (an obligation) before it is due.

verb (used without object)

, an·tic·i·pat·ed, an·tic·i·pat·ing.

1. to think, speak, act, or feel an emotional response in advance.

anticipate

/ ænˈtɪsɪˌpeɪt /

verb

1. may take a clause as object to foresee and act in advance of

   he anticipated the fall in value by selling early

2. to thwart by acting in advance of; forestall

   I anticipated his punch by moving out of reach

3. also intr to mention (something) before its proper time

   don't anticipate the climax of the story

4. may take a clause as object to regard as likely; expect; foresee

   he anticipated that it would happen

5. to make use of in advance of possession

   he anticipated his salary in buying a house

6. to pay (a bill, etc) before it falls due
7. to cause to happen sooner

   the spread of nationalism anticipated the decline of the Empire

Usage Note

Despite claims that anticipate should only be used to mean “to perform (an action) or respond to (a question, etc.) in advance” or “to forestall,” it has been used widely since the 18th century as a synonym for expect, often with an implication of pleasure: We anticipate a large turnout at the next meeting. This use is standard in all types of speech and writing.

Usage

The use of anticipate to mean expect should be avoided

Derived Forms

• anˈticiˌpator, noun
• anˈticipatorily, adverb
• anˈticipatory, adjective

Other Words From

• an·tic·i·pat·a·ble adjective
• an·tic·i·pa·tor noun
• pre·an·tic·i·pate verb (used with object) preanticipated preanticipating

Word History and Origins

Origin of anticipate¹

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin anticipātus “taken before, anticipated,” past participle of anticipāre, “to take before,” equivalent to anti- (variant of ante- ante- ( def ) ) + -cipāre (combining form of capere “to take”)

Word History and Origins

Origin of anticipate¹

C16: from Latin anticipāre to take before, realize beforehand, from anti- ante- + capere to take

Example Sentences

On Wednesday, FX dropped a longer teaser of the highly anticipated "Alien: Earth" that is giving birth vibes.

From Salon

Though the events it depicts took place more than a half-century ago, Sarsgaard anticipates that some moviegoers will bring their own feelings about the current situation in the Middle East to the theater.

From Los Angeles Times

Immigrant labor groups anticipate Trump will dissolve a Biden administration program that offers a reprieve to workers in the country illegally who work for companies under investigation for labor violations.

From Los Angeles Times

Ecocide is defined by experts as a "wanton" act of destruction, carried out with "reckless disregard for damage which would be clearly excessive in relation to the social and economic benefits anticipated."

From Salon

At the time, he anticipated that the task force, once assembled, would complete its work over about three months.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• assume
• await
• count on
• forecast
• foresee
• prepare for
• see

When To Use

What are other ways to say anticipate?

To anticipate something is to look forward to it or to be sure of it. How is anticipate different from expect, hope, and await? Learn more on Thesaurus.com.