anticipatory

adjective

an·​tic·​i·​pa·​to·​ry an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce anticipatory (audio)
: characterized by anticipation : anticipating
took anticipatory measures to prevent floods

Examples of anticipatory in a Sentence

couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
With rapid changes ahead, companies that master this anticipatory adaptation will not only survive but thrive. Christer Holloman, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025 Cramer stressed that the anticipatory nature of the market extends beyond the Fed. Julie Coleman, CNBC, 17 June 2025 This quiet yet powerful integration of AI agents into healthcare workflows signals a shift from reactive care models to intelligent, anticipatory systems that are better aligned with the needs of modern healthcare. Rajiv Kumaresan, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 The fact that the anticipatory market shock was triggered by a tariff-policy proposal that was both vastly more severe that the wisdom of crowds had predicted, and that was almost instantly walked back, helps account for the extreme torque of the recovery. Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for anticipatory

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anticipatory was in 1664

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Cite this Entry

“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipatory. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.

Legal Definition

anticipatory

adjective
an·​tic·​i·​pa·​tory an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce anticipatory (audio)
: of or relating to a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action
an anticipatory challenge brought for declaratory and injunctive reliefL. H. Tribe
anticipatorily
-ˌti-sə-pə-ˈtōr-ə-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on anticipatory

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