anticipatory

American  

[an-tis-uh-puh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] / ænˈtɪs ə pəˌtɔr i, -ˌtoʊr i /

adjective

1. of, showing, or expressing anticipation.

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Other Word Forms

• nonanticipatory
  adjective
• anticipatorily
  adverb
• nonanticipatorily
  adverb

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.

Example Sentences

“This seeming anomaly forces a reminder that commodity futures are anticipatory, and it is obvious that the speculative entities are expecting an elimination of the large crude deficit that currently exists.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 25, 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

Beth Hope, an executive coach, says "Sunday blues" are very common and usually come from anticipatory stress, where the brain predicts a high demand on Monday and "activates the stress response early".

From BBC • Jan. 3, 2026

Asked why the numbers were not higher, Pace highlighted "anticipatory action, being ready".

From Barron's • Nov. 5, 2025

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