anticipatory
adjective
an·tic·i·pa·to·ry
an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē 
: 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
The seventeen-year-old mandolin-and-violin tune that millennials played with anticipatory nostalgia during college is now accompanying social-media video clips about the DC Universe, its cringe wholly recuperated as commodity.
—
Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Some legal experts also argue that anticipatory self defense — under which a state has not been attacked, but determines that a foreign attack is imminent — is legal under international law.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
The path forward requires proactive, anticipatory leadership: securing AI systems, embedding oversight and establishing governance structures now, not waiting for compliance mandates to dictate the response.
—Metin Kortak, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
While it could be argued that there’s no bad place to stay in such a dreamy locale, World’s Best Awards voters would be the first to point out that certain touches—like anticipatory service and an expansive slate of programming—can take a visit to this region from wonderful to wow-worthy.
—Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
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Kyle Chayka, New Yorker, 13 Aug. 2025
Some legal experts also argue that anticipatory self defense — under which a state has not been attacked, but determines that a foreign attack is imminent — is legal under international law.
—Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 24 June 2025
The path forward requires proactive, anticipatory leadership: securing AI systems, embedding oversight and establishing governance structures now, not waiting for compliance mandates to dictate the response.
—Metin Kortak, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
While it could be argued that there’s no bad place to stay in such a dreamy locale, World’s Best Awards voters would be the first to point out that certain touches—like anticipatory service and an expansive slate of programming—can take a visit to this region from wonderful to wow-worthy.
—Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipatory. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
anticipatory
adjective
an·tic·i·pa·tory
an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtōr-ē
: of or relating to a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action
an anticipatory challenge brought for declaratory and injunctive relief—L. H. Tribe
L. H. Tribe
anticipatorily
adverb
-ˌti-sə-pə-ˈtōr-ə-lē
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