Synonyms of anticipation

anticipation

noun

(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən 

as in expectation

the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence

in anticipation of a job offer, she had already begun looking for an apartment in the city where the company was based

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expectation
• expectancy
• expectance
• contemplation
• prospect
• dread
• apprehension
• alarm
• foreboding
• alarum
• misgiving

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun anticipation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of anticipation are foretaste, outlook, and prospect. While all these words mean "an advance realization of something to come," anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

When is it sensible to use foretaste instead of anticipation?

While the synonyms foretaste and anticipation are close in meaning, foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

In what contexts can outlook take the place of anticipation?

In some situations, the words outlook and anticipation are roughly equivalent. However, outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

When could prospect be used to replace anticipation?

Although the words prospect and anticipation have much in common, prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of anticipation

As mortgages fall in anticipation of the Federal Reserve's meeting this month, where experts widely expect the central bank to cut interest rates following recent weaker-than-expected job creation, buyers pushed to the sidelines by high housing costs could return to the market, boosting demand. —Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Sep. 2025

But the big news in tech today, aside from what’s happening at Fortune Brainstorm Tech, of course, is anticipation around Apple’s big hardware reveal later today. —Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 9 Sep. 2025

Fans on social media have been expressing their excitement and anticipation over the 2025 event since last year. —Melinda Salchert, Southern Living, 9 Sep. 2025

Bleary-eyed arrivals fresh off their third flight grin with anticipation as those on their way out, sporting a tan, look on in envy. —Katie Lockhart, Travel + Leisure, 7 Sep. 2025