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 Sunday, there is no way to anticipate exactly how the New Orleans Saints will deploy Taysom Hill.

From Los Angeles Times

Weiss anticipates that federal wildlife officials will once again try to strip protections, and there may be efforts made in Congress as well.

From Los Angeles Times

The other fragrance is called Rozana, after a ship that was feverishly anticipated by people starving across Palestine, Lebanon and Syria after failed wheat harvests 100 years ago.

From BBC

This is a movie I anticipate seeing again.

From Los Angeles Times

The anticipated increase is due to petrol prices that are lower than they were during the Thanksgiving holiday last year.

From BBC

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.