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 Historically, the Fall TV lineup was highly-anticipated by viewers and advertisers alike. Essence, 2 Oct. 2025 It's anticipated that the new policy will help modernize border management across Europe, including security improvements to combat fraud and terrorism. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2025 And although families and buses would learn new routes to school, the district doesn’t anticipate many will see particularly longer commutes. Sofi Zeman october 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Oct. 2025 Was this for the album that everybody’s anticipating? Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 2 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for anticipate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipate
Verb
  • The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were expected to be the lead agencies investigating the cause of the crash, though FAA and NTSB representatives were not immediately available for comment due to the ongoing federal government shutdown.
    Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 7 Oct. 2025
  • Construction for Segment 6 will start in summer 2027 and Segment 5 is expected to start in fall 2028.
    Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • That’s the grim reality that state and regional transportation planners foresee by the time the Valley has surpassed 1 million residents in 2050.
    Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2025
  • The Eagles were not eager to bring him back this season, potentially foreseeing a contract issue and apparently believing his production was replaceable.
    Zach Berman, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Similar game awaits next week at Carolina Panthers The Cowboys will make another road trip next week to take on a similarly down-on-their-luck Carolina Panthers team.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Oct. 2025
  • There’s also the crisp morning strolls past the gurgling Clunie Water to The Bothy, where coffee and fresh pastries await; the area’s fascinating history, deeply intertwined with the Royal Family; and the community’s embrace of all things outdoors.
    Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 4 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Let’s tie it all together by predicting that the first meeting of the season between Toronto and Philadelphia gets well and truly out of control … which by today’s standards means there are three fights in the game.
    Sean McIndoe, New York Times, 7 Oct. 2025
  • High geopolitical volatility makes predicting the market’s future even more difficult than usual, a Reuters columnist argued.
    Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 6 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anticipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipate. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on anticipate

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