Synonyms of anticipate

anticipate

verb

an-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt 

1

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

• expect
• await
• predict
• foresee
• hope (for)
• watch (for)
• look for
• look forward to
• view
• envision
• assume
• rely (on or upon)
• wait (for)
• depend (on or upon)
• envisage
• count (on or upon)
• presume
• contemplate
• foretell
• eye
• presuppose
• bank on
• prophesy

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• question
• doubt

2

as in to foresee

to realize or know about beforehand

I anticipated this unhelpful response

Synonyms & Similar Words

• foresee
• predict
• fear
• divine
• envision
• perceive
• dread
• foreknow
• forecast
• envisage
• prevision
• visualize
• foretell
• presage
• forefeel
• prognosticate
• foreshadow
• prophesy
• alert
• discern
• forewarn
• prefigure
• apprehend
• caution
• augur
• preview
• foretoken
• descry

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

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