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
In typical Aman fashion, service is incredibly anticipatory and proactive.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Rather than being glued to our phones for updates, in the not-so-distant future, where personal data and context is always streamed, our devices will become anticipatory.
—Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 6 May 2026
In 2025, some Central Florida municipalities increased service fees — such as fire and stormwater fees — in part as an anticipatory measure of losing property tax revenue.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2026
Rather than being glued to our phones for updates, in the not-so-distant future, where personal data and context is always streamed, our devices will become anticipatory.
—Alyson Shontell, Fortune, 6 May 2026
In 2025, some Central Florida municipalities increased service fees — such as fire and stormwater fees — in part as an anticipatory measure of losing property tax revenue.
—Abigail Hasebroock, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipatory. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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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