anticipatory

adjective

an·​tic·​i·​pa·​to·​ry an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: characterized by anticipation : anticipating

took anticipatory measures to prevent floods

Synonyms of anticipatory

• watchful
• expectant
• enthusiastic
• eager
• anxious
• anticipant

Examples of anticipatory in a Sentence

couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning

Recent Examples on the Web

These Instagram pages offer a way to reach out before ever arriving on campus, potentially assuaging anticipatory worry and first-day awkwardness. —Mary Frances Ruskell, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026

And also the anticipatory obedience by a lot of these news organizations who are more timid. —Michael Schneider, Variety, 22 Apr. 2026

Rodriguez is a smart, anticipatory playmaker whose best trait is seeing the game a beat ahead of everyone else. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Apr. 2026

The anticipatory care was precise, discreet, and delightful. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anticipatory

• adjudicatory
• articulatory
• classificatory
• conciliatory
• congratulatory
• discriminatory
• ejaculatory
• emancipatory
• hallucinatory
• interlaboratory
• interrogatory
• investigatory

Legal 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

anticipatorily

-ˌti-sə-pə-ˈtōr-ə-lē

adverb