anticipatory
Americanadjective
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing anticipatory
This Week in Words: June 15–21, 2019
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Matched
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Truly Devious
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Consider the parent who must navigate uncertainty and anticipatory grief while making decisions for a sick child who can’t speak.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 12, 2026
"The dark chocolate scent serves as a learned cue for a rich, bitter, and highly satiating food, which essentially tricks the system into an anticipatory state of fullness," said Nashrudin Naharudin.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 15, 2026
He also noted a failure to follow the "appropriate guidelines and anticipatory care plan in place for Archie", which would have led to a consultation with an infection specialist.
From BBC ● May 5, 2026
It felt like he had that level of power, and everyone essentially acquiesced and you had this sort of anticipatory obedience.
From Slate ● Mar. 30, 2026
She would have been thrilled at the prospect of seeing an important collection of ferns, and even felt some anticipatory tummy rumbles at the thought of eating what promised to be a truly delicious meal.
From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
