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

The use of anticipate to mean expect should be avoided

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 Word Forms

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

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

There were concerns about the weather before the second T20 but instead of the anticipated precipitation, it was raining boundaries in Manchester.

From BBC

I had anticipated a guy who walked in with a chip on his shoulder, as if just showing up was doing me a favor.

From Los Angeles Times

However, sources in favour of the bill are confident it will pass, claiming they are not anticipating anything that could be fatal to its chances.

From BBC

Such was the demand, there were over 110,000 users in an online queue as remaining seats for next week's hotly anticipated opening group match at St James' Park went on sale on Tuesday.

From BBC

It’s a question she could have easily anticipated.

From Los Angeles Times

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.