ANTICIPATE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

anticipate

verb

an-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt

Definition of anticipate

as in to expect

to believe in the future occurrence of (something) I anticipate that we'll be seeing you for New Year's

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to foresee

to realize or know about beforehand I anticipated this unhelpful response

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 Additionally, Frank said core categories, such as leggings, slowed down more than anticipated. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026 From surfaces that require considerably more maintenance than homeowners anticipate to statement stones that can quickly date a kitchen, these are the countertop materials designers say their clients are most likely to regret. — Angelika Pokovba, Martha Stewart, 4 Sep. 2026 As outlined earlier this week, Marie is not anticipated to make direct contact with California. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026 The filmmakers couldn’t have anticipated how that notion would materialize on set. — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anticipate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipate

Verb

The staff here are available to attend to any needs but step back to give you space and privacy—so don’t expect always-on coddling.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Sep. 2026
These pioneers fully expected that machines would one day surpass humans—that AGI would become ASI, or artificial superintelligence—because there’s no reason to expect that humans are the pinnacle of intelligence.

— George Musser, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026

Definition of expect

Verb

The head coach foresaw a transition taking place over a 12-to-18-month period, whereby Trafford would eventually usurp Pope, now 34.

— Chris Waugh, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026
Despite the hype, investors don't foresee a big move — and some think the news could prompt investors to offload shares.

— Tobias Burns, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of foresee

Verb

His point is that although LLMs, no less than chess engines and other specialist systems, are trained on a specific task—namely, predicting the next word in a text passage—that task is special.

— George Musser, Scientific American, 17 Sep. 2026
Rather than trying to predict where mortgage rates will go, compare the rates and monthly payments available to you now.

— Faith Wakefield, USA Today, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of predict

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anticipant

anticipate

anticipated

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“Anticipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipate. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of anticipate

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