as in expected
being in accordance with the prescribed, normal, or logical course of events
the anticipated date of delivery is July 14th
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in awaited
to believe in the future occurrence of (something)
I anticipate that we'll be seeing you for New Year's
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in foresaw
to realize or know about beforehand
I anticipated this unhelpful response
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anticipated
Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Nolan's first film since the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, The Odyssey, out July 17, is one of the most anticipated movies of 2026, boasting an all-star cast and crew of Oscar-winning talent in front of and behind the camera.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The agency — a division of the California Office of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire — initially anticipated that its investigation would conclude in August, but the case proved more complicated than expected, Berlant told The Sacramento Bee in November.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipated
Adjective
Viewership did not get an anticipated kick up by attracting curiosity seekers during Dokoupil’s first month, but one person watching intensely was Bari Weiss.
—Rick Kogan, Chicago Tribune, 3 Feb. 2026
Nolan's first film since the Oscar-winning Oppenheimer, The Odyssey, out July 17, is one of the most anticipated movies of 2026, boasting an all-star cast and crew of Oscar-winning talent in front of and behind the camera.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
Kamara sustained a knee injury in the opening stages of the FA Cup third-round win at Tottenham, with Villa stating in the immediate aftermath that the France international was anticipated to be missing for two to three weeks.
—Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
The agency — a division of the California Office of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire — initially anticipated that its investigation would conclude in August, but the case proved more complicated than expected, Berlant told The Sacramento Bee in November.
—Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 2 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipated
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipated
Adjective
-
Rooms are furnished comfortably in the expected Southwestern decor, but avoid overdoing it thanks to restrained, contemporary hands.—
Asonta Benetti,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Jan. 2026
-
That gap between strategy and readiness plays into expected outcomes.—
Jennifer Belissent,
Forbes.com,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Superb clam pie awaited us, with freshly shucked bivalves, tons of garlic, and a touch of parsley and chile flakes.—
Chris Morocco,
Bon Appetit Magazine,
4 Feb. 2026
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By the time Montgomery woke up Sunday, a string of one-star Google reviews awaited Red Bench Pizza — oddly, seemingly generated by a single user.—
Michael Deeds,
Idaho Statesman,
27 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Those with clout in various spheres coalesced into one clubby circle, and fell prey to a groupthink that foresaw riches for everyone, without consequences.—
Evan Hughes,
The Atlantic,
20 Oct. 2025
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As for the rest of our readers’ predictions, 20% foresaw the grand prize going to freestyler Chris Turner, while 14% threw their support behind Jourdan Blue‘s velvety voice and even velvetier hair.—
Andy Swift,
TVLine,
24 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Justin Bieber returned to the stage Sunday as a scheduled performer, in addition to Bruno Mars, Rosé, Tyler, the Creator, Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Clipse and Pharrell Williams.—
Tracy Wright,
FOXNews.com,
2 Feb. 2026
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Location data reportedly revealed that his phone was three blocks from the debate location less than half an hour before its scheduled start.—
Dan Raby,
CBS News,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Johnston predicted that, within 10 years, all new AI data centers will be in orbit, which could also solve the growing backlash to AI data center construction.—
Chris Isidore,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
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The Olympics break is here and few could have predicted before the season where the Toronto Maple Leafs now find themselves.—
Joshua Kloke,
New York Times,
4 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anticipated.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipated. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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