as in watchful
having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something
couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anticipatory
In 2025, some Central Florida municipalities increased service fees — such as fire and stormwater fees — in part as an anticipatory measure of losing property tax revenue.
—
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
These Instagram pages offer a way to reach out before ever arriving on campus, potentially assuaging anticipatory worry and first-day awkwardness.
—Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
And also the anticipatory obedience by a lot of these news organizations who are more timid.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
Rodriguez is a smart, anticipatory playmaker whose best trait is seeing the game a beat ahead of everyone else.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
These Instagram pages offer a way to reach out before ever arriving on campus, potentially assuaging anticipatory worry and first-day awkwardness.
—Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026
And also the anticipatory obedience by a lot of these news organizations who are more timid.
—Michael Schneider, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026
Rodriguez is a smart, anticipatory playmaker whose best trait is seeing the game a beat ahead of everyone else.
—Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipatory
Adjective
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Most of the 50 athletes competing in track, swimming and weightlifting are taking performance enhancers under the watchful eye of doctors and trainers.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
23 May 2026
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Being aware of them and keeping a watchful eye on your power strip and its current condition could protect you and your home in the long run.—
Louise Parks,
Martha Stewart,
16 May 2026
Adjective
-
Kris Jenner is a grandmother of 13, and over the years, her children have thrown fun, elaborate baby showers for their expectant bundles of joy.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
22 May 2026
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The last snap in the carousel was the expectant parents making the same hand motion, which Palvin echoed in the comments.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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The audience broke into cheers twice during the screening of the home-invasion thriller before giving the French pic wildly enthusiastic applause as the lights went up.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
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Ordinarily, the Texan midfielder is a relentlessly enthusiastic presence in the American locker room.—
Leander Schaerlaeckens,
New Yorker,
22 May 2026
Adjective
-
Sometimes there’s an English language barrier, but everyone is patient and eager to make your stay memorable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
20 May 2026
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Joelle D'Alencar, the owner of the business, is eager to help new customers feel comfortable.—
Jeff Wagner,
CBS News,
19 May 2026
Adjective
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That’s a lot of anxious energy surrounding a screening of a 55-year-old film that hasn’t been hard to see — in one form or another — in recent times.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
17 May 2026
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Now, the Tiki Social at the Omni may be driving another escape, from our anxious times to the fantasy island life.—
Michael Goldstein,
Forbes.com,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipatory. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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