Definition of anticipatenext

Synonym Chooser

How is the word anticipate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of anticipate are divine, foreknow, and foresee. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens.

the waiter anticipated our every need

How are the words divine and foresee related as synonyms of anticipate?

Divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.

was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

When would foreknow be a good substitute for anticipate?

Although the words foreknow and anticipate have much in common, foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

In what contexts can foresee take the place of anticipate?

The synonyms foresee and anticipate are sometimes interchangeable, but foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anticipate Hotly anticipated, Reese got a big welcome to her new city. Ian Miller Outkick, FOXNews.com, 17 May 2026 The trend closely matches data previously disclosed by Waymo, where self-driving vehicles are often hit by inattentive human drivers who misjudge or fail to anticipate the car’s cautious stopping behavior. Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 16 May 2026 So, of course, the latest movie from the two-time Oscar nominee, his first feature in close to a decade, is highly anticipated. Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2026 Officials say the best way for visitors to pay for fares would be through the RideKCGO app, which is anticipated to go live the week of May 25. Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 16 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for anticipate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipate
Verb
  • Sources also told The Athletic that Gio Reyna is expected to be included on the roster for Mauricio Pochettino’s first World Cup run as USMNT manager.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 24 May 2026
  • Work was still being done on the open casino floor, which was off limits even for photography but is expected to accommodate around 1,200 people actively engaged in slot machines or table games.
    R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 24 May 2026
Verb
  • Projecting into the future, Pritchard said the Pacers didn’t foresee another opportunity to land a center of Zubac’s caliber before the start of next season.
    Jay King, New York Times, 13 May 2026
  • Kates does not foresee the Federal Reserve cutting rates anytime soon, particularly before the end of the year, adding that the ongoing conflict with Iran could even lead to interest rate hikes.
    Bri Buckley, CBS News, 12 May 2026
Verb
  • First amongst these is the depiction of the milieu awaiting in the large house that serves as camp headquarters.
    Sophie Monks Kaufman, IndieWire, 18 May 2026
  • The high-profile trial drew intense media coverage as AI playmakers and reporters awaited to see how the results would reshape the fast-expanding industry.
    Molly Parks, The Washington Examiner, 18 May 2026
Verb
  • In February, economists predicted that the budget deficit would triple by the end of the year.
    Anna Nemtsova, Time, 23 May 2026
  • Some 40,000 people in parts of that city and nearby communities were ordered to evacuate Friday as fire officials predicted the distressed tank would either leak thousands of gallons of dangerous chemicals or explode altogether.
    Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 23 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Anticipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipate. Accessed 25 May. 2026.

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