Synonym Chooser

How is the word anticipate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of anticipate are divine, foreknow, and foresee. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens.

the waiter anticipated our every need

How are the words divine and foresee related as synonyms of anticipate?

Divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.

was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

When would foreknow be a good substitute for anticipate?

Although the words foreknow and anticipate have much in common, foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

In what contexts can foresee take the place of anticipate?

The synonyms foresee and anticipate are sometimes interchangeable, but foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of anticipate The climate crisis is anticipated to worsen natural disasters, including extreme rain. Michelle Krupa, CNN Money, 7 July 2025 Residents can anticipate wind gusts of up to 50 mph. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 6 July 2025 Some 166,000 fans are anticipated for the British Grand Prix, bringing the weekend attendance to close to half a million people. Luke Smith, New York Times, 6 July 2025 It's expected to turn northeastward throughout Sunday and into Monday, with forecasts anticipating the center of Chantal to move over eastern North Carolina through Sunday evening. Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 6 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for anticipate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipate
Verb
  • Both figures were 10 basis points higher than expected.
    Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 30 June 2025
  • Anticipating a strong showing during the quarter, Walmart now expects second quarter revenues to be at the high-end or even exceed its previous 3.5% to 4.5% growth guidance.
    Pamela N. Danziger, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • But the group’s mentor never foresaw her protégé falling for a bad boy like Juni, who’s got a couple secrets up his sleeve as well.
    Peter Debruge, Variety, 21 June 2025
  • But there was no final agreement to cut the tax on British steel to zero as originally foreseen — seen as vital to preserving the U.K.’s beleaguered steel industry.
    Jill Lawless, Fortune, 17 June 2025
Verb
  • Now, more uncertainty awaits thousands of borrowers employed in jobs the country relies on to function.
    Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 5 July 2025
  • Two contests await horseplayers who want to test their handicapping skills.
    Kelley Carlson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2025
Verb
  • Other state public health laws, regulations, and services protect people who are suicidal from caregivers, medical professionals, and family members who might encourage self-harm, but suspends these protections if a doctor predicts the person has less than six months to live.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
  • The local National Weather Service office is predicting storms moving east-northeast at 20 mph.
    Jenny Porter Tilley, The Courier-Journal, 7 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anticipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on anticipate

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