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
Didion’s book illuminated anticipatory grief and gave me language for my experience.
—
Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Service is flawless and anticipatory—within a day or two, staff address hotel guests by name, remembering coffee and cocktail preferences during meals.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2025
Limited strikes can generate anticipatory displacement—families in border and coastal states who were undecided about leaving decide not to wait.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
As Sportico detailed, Pasadena and the RBOC sued UCLA a couple of weeks ago for breach of contract and anticipatory repudiation.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Service is flawless and anticipatory—within a day or two, staff address hotel guests by name, remembering coffee and cocktail preferences during meals.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2025
Limited strikes can generate anticipatory displacement—families in border and coastal states who were undecided about leaving decide not to wait.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
As Sportico detailed, Pasadena and the RBOC sued UCLA a couple of weeks ago for breach of contract and anticipatory repudiation.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipatory
Adjective
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But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any adjustment in how its firms proceed there in the face of a more watchful US.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
31 Jan. 2026
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For over two decades, efforts to lift the Oakland Police Department out from under the watchful eye of a federal judge have fallen short.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Jackie and Shadow, the two viral bald eagles who call Southern California their home, are once again expectant parents.—
Fernando Cervantes Jr,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
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The webinar is designed to help families and caregivers understand the risks of lead exposure and learn practical steps to protect young children and expectant parents, the release said.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Obermann is especially enthusiastic about the color for a child’s bathroom.—
Marisa Suzanne Martin,
The Spruce,
29 Jan. 2026
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Selig’s comments received an enthusiastic response from the Coalition for Prediction Markets.—
Contessa Brewer,
CNBC,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Republicans are eager to maintain Latino support in their bid to keep control of Congress.—
Steven Sloan,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
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About a dozen tots strapped up in their floor length aprons, eager to get messy in the garden, on a brisk winter Texas morning.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Flat, calm but earnest, mildly anxious, blunted, volatile.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
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Times of Troy survey After an anxious few weeks for Trojan fans, USC finally has its next defensive coordinator.—
Ryan Kartje,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipatory. Accessed 6 Feb. 2026.
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