anticipate

[an-tis-uh-peyt]

verb (used with object)

anticipated, anticipating 

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)

anticipated, anticipating 

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

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.

The use of anticipate to mean expect should be avoided

Other Word Forms

• anticipatable adjective
• anticipator noun
• preanticipate verb (used with object)
• anticipatorily adverb
• anticipatory adjective

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

Cal Fire officials said it does not anticipate any impacts to its ability to respond to blazes, and that the agency is fully staffed.

From Los Angeles Times

HUD’s analysis anticipates that public housing units may initially be left vacant as a result of the proposed rule.

From Salon

“We’re anticipating capital coming back into the market” in six months to three years, he said.

From Los Angeles Times

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority said it doesn’t anticipate a significant uptick in the number of FasTrak transponders being issued as a consequence of the decal program’s end.

From Los Angeles Times

Of all the things I tried to prepare for before going undercover I hadn't anticipated forming genuine bonds with the people who lived in there.

From BBC

Related Words

• assume 
• await 
• count on 
• forecast 
• foresee 
• prepare for www.thesaurus.com
• 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.