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 Music icon Taylor Swift and football star Travis Kelce, who announced their engagement in August 2025, are anticipated to tie the knot very soon. Brendan Le, PEOPLE, 3 July 2026 After realizing that the Swift mission might come to an end much sooner than anticipated, NASA put out a call for proposals for a solution. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 3 July 2026 Angie Lux, a seismologist at the Berkeley Seismology Laboratory, said that although scientists anticipate a high-magnitude earthquake, California’s buildings are engineered to standards meant to prevent extensive damage. Velvet Wu july 3, Sacbee.com, 3 July 2026 Robots sound safer The wearable audio system converts nearby robot movements into dynamic warning sounds, helping workers anticipate robotic actions without interrupting their tasks. Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 2 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for anticipate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipate
Verb
  • The agreement also didn't lead to market opportunities for the United States in Canada and Mexico in dairy and other sectors as was expected, officials said.
    Joey Garrison, USA Today, 2 July 2026
  • The bail motion is expected to be filed by the end of the month.
    Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 July 2026
Verb
  • The survey is an indicator of companies foreseeing good conditions minus those feeling pessimistic.
    ABC News, ABC News, 1 July 2026
  • To say legislators should have foreseen this result is shooting fish.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026
Verb
  • The same trap awaits the doctor leaning on a model for a diagnosis, the engineer trusting it with a design, the judge consulting it on a decision, and the ordinary person asking it what to believe.
    David Siegel, Fortune, 3 July 2026
  • Many were instructed to be in New York City by the morning of July 3 and await further details, sources told the outlet.
    Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 July 2026
Verb
  • Susan Del Percio, a New York GOP strategist, predicted the dueling programs would excite the different constituencies of the two leaders.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 3 July 2026
  • But predicting how things will change decades from now is a more daunting task than embracing a gauzy promise.
    Juliet Eilperin, Washington Post, 3 July 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Anticipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipate. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.

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