anticipatory
adjective
an·tic·i·pa·to·ry
an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē 
: characterized by anticipation : anticipating
took anticipatory measures to prevent floods
Examples of anticipatory in a Sentence
couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning
Recent Examples on the Web
This quiet yet powerful integration of AI agents into healthcare workflows signals a shift from reactive care models to intelligent, anticipatory systems that are better aligned with the needs of modern healthcare.
—
Rajiv Kumaresan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
The fact that the anticipatory market shock was triggered by a tariff-policy proposal that was both vastly more severe that the wisdom of crowds had predicted, and that was almost instantly walked back, helps account for the extreme torque of the recovery.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 June 2025
Hence, the spasms of anticipatory body language in the stands before the 25-year-old guard sank the dagger: This is just what this team does.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
The ability to be nimble and think on your feet is just as important as anticipatory planning.
—Andrew Frank, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
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Rajiv Kumaresan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
The fact that the anticipatory market shock was triggered by a tariff-policy proposal that was both vastly more severe that the wisdom of crowds had predicted, and that was almost instantly walked back, helps account for the extreme torque of the recovery.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 June 2025
Hence, the spasms of anticipatory body language in the stands before the 25-year-old guard sank the dagger: This is just what this team does.
—Anthony Crupi, Sportico.com, 6 June 2025
The ability to be nimble and think on your feet is just as important as anticipatory planning.
—Andrew Frank, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipatory. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
anticipatory
adjective
an·tic·i·pa·tory
an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtōr-ē
: of or relating to a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action
an anticipatory challenge brought for declaratory and injunctive relief—L. H. Tribe
L. H. Tribe
anticipatorily
adverb
-ˌti-sə-pə-ˈtōr-ə-lē
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