51Թ

Advertisement

View synonyms for

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: , ,

  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

/ æˈɪɪˌɪ /

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Discover More

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.
Discover More

Usage

The use of anticipate to mean expect should be avoided
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈپˌ貹ٴǰ, noun
  • ˈپ貹ٴǰ, adverb
  • ˈپ貹ٴǰ, adjective
Discover More

Other 51Թ Forms

  • ·پ··貹·· adjective
  • ·پ··貹·ٴǰ noun
  • ··پ··貹ٱ verb (used with object) preanticipated preanticipating
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of anticipate1

First recorded in 1525–35; from Latin Գپٳܲ “taken before, anticipated,” past participle of Գپ, “to take before,” equivalent to anti- (variant of ante- ante- ( def ) ) + - (combining form of capere “to take”)
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of anticipate1

C16: from Latin Գپ to take before, realize beforehand, from anti- ante- + capere to take
Discover More

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Christopher Dring, editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Game Business, said he expected to see price rises elsewhere too - particularly for the most anticipated titles, such as the latest edition of the Grand Theft Auto franchise.

From

It is understood the conversations are likely to be with European and Commonwealth leaders, with no call to President Trump currently anticipated.

From

Confusion over the details — and the fact that the rates Trump announced were much higher than most economists anticipated — has sent stocks tumbling and businesses and global leaders scrambling for clarity.

From

Fans will no doubt have been excited to see the hotly anticipated Metroid Prime 4, the first game in the series in 18 years.

From

At the same time, winds are anticipated to remain strong over the coming days, which are capable of spreading fires faster.

From

Advertisement

Related 51Թs

Discover More

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 .

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement