anticipatory

American  

[an-tis-uh-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ænˈtɪs ə pəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. of, showing, or expressing anticipation.

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Other Word Forms

• anticipatorily adverb
• nonanticipatorily adverb
• nonanticipatory adjective

Etymology

Origin of anticipatory

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

Explanation

Anticipatory describes the feeling you get when you know what’s coming. It can also describe something that happens because something else is going to happen later — like that anticipatory excitement you feel the night before a big party. Anything anticipatory has to do with realizing something beforehand, or anticipating. It’s related to the feelings you get while waiting and preparing for something. Sometimes the worst part of being sick isn’t the feeling itself, but the anticipatory anxiety about getting sick again. It’s not the same as a sixth sense, but Spiderman’s spidey sense is anticipatory because it alerts him to future danger.

Example Sentences

Here are a few strategies for keeping anticipatory anxiety at bay.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

The judge said specific performance could be available in a situation involving an actual breach or an anticipatory breach of the contract.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2025

Asked why the numbers were not higher, Pace highlighted "anticipatory action, being ready".

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

Plus, Dr Gray points out that "carents" can often struggle with what she calls a sense of "anticipatory grief".

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2025

She looked up when the musical overture ended, and in its place an anticipatory silence weighted the air.

From "Beasts of Prey" by Ayana Gray