anticipatory

[ an-tis-uh-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee ]

adjective

1. of, showing, or expressing anticipation.

Other Words From

• an·tici·pa·tori·ly adverb
• nonan·tici·pa·tori·ly adverb
• nonan·tici·pa·tory adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anticipatory¹

First recorded in 1660–70; anticipate + -ory ¹

Example Sentences

An overarching theme here is that the moves by the Post and the LA Times reflect what Timothy Snyder, the author of “On Tyranny,” calls “anticipatory obedience.”

From Salon

In hearing Kuhn’s edict, my mind flipped back to my anticipatory excitement when I’d ridden the subway from my office in midtown Manhattan to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx that Monday afternoon.

From Los Angeles Times

Many of our universities are being intimidated by the right-wing in what is an example of “anticipatory obedience.”

From Salon

One possible explanation has to do with anticipatory stress about the financial burdens associated with carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term, or traveling out of state for an abortion.

From Salon

In the minutes before he began speaking, MSNBC, CNN and Fox News all aired anticipatory camera shots of an empty lectern.

From New York Times