anticipate
[ an-tis-uh-peyt ]
/ ænˈtɪs əˌpeɪt /
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verb (used with object), an·tic·i·pat·ed, an·tic·i·pat·ing.
verb (used without object), an·tic·i·pat·ed, an·tic·i·pat·ing.
to think, speak, act, or feel an emotional response in advance.
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Origin of anticipate
usage note for anticipate
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM anticipate
Words nearby anticipate
anticholinergic, anticholinesterase, Antichrist, antichthon, anticipant, anticipate, anticipation, anticipative, anticipatory, anticity, anticlastic
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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.
Example sentences from the Web for anticipate
British Dictionary definitions for anticipate
anticipate
/ (ænˈtɪsɪˌpeɪt) /
verb (mainly tr)
Derived forms of anticipate
anticipator, nounanticipatory or anticipative, adjectiveanticipatorily or anticipatively, adverbWord Origin for anticipate
C16: from Latin anticipāre to take before, realize beforehand, from anti- ante- + capere to take
usage for anticipate
The use of anticipate to mean expect should be avoided
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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