1
as in expecting
to believe in the future occurrence of (something)
I anticipate that we'll be seeing you for New Year's
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in foreseeing
to realize or know about beforehand
I anticipated this unhelpful response
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 anticipating
Savers anticipating a Social Security cut should start exploring ways to boost their savings accounts now.
—
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Bobby Moore’s ability lay not only in anticipating the move of an opponent but also in reading the flow of the game several steps ahead.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026
The team anticipating it would occupy our summer baseball fascination is captivating for all the wrong reasons.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
Across all industries, organizations are navigating and anticipating rapid change, increasing complexity and the ever-rising expectations from both employees and customers.
—Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2026
If your kids are anticipating the return of their favorite shows, Netflix has both little and big kids covered.
—Parents, 3 June 2026
Fort Lauderdale officials are already anticipating a roughly $20 million deficit in 2028, when a federal grant that allowed for the hiring of additional firefighters runs out.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
With most California voters still sitting on their ballots ahead of Tuesday’s primary, election officials are anticipating a late rush that could leave key races unsettled for days or weeks.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Many in the Reddit thread were also anticipating the release of Civilization VII DLC.
—Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Matt Richardson, CBS News, 4 June 2026
Bobby Moore’s ability lay not only in anticipating the move of an opponent but also in reading the flow of the game several steps ahead.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 3 June 2026
The team anticipating it would occupy our summer baseball fascination is captivating for all the wrong reasons.
—Sam McDowell, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
Across all industries, organizations are navigating and anticipating rapid change, increasing complexity and the ever-rising expectations from both employees and customers.
—Elan Gepner-Dales, Rolling Stone, 3 June 2026
If your kids are anticipating the return of their favorite shows, Netflix has both little and big kids covered.
—Parents, 3 June 2026
Fort Lauderdale officials are already anticipating a roughly $20 million deficit in 2028, when a federal grant that allowed for the hiring of additional firefighters runs out.
—Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 2 June 2026
With most California voters still sitting on their ballots ahead of Tuesday’s primary, election officials are anticipating a late rush that could leave key races unsettled for days or weeks.
—Grant Stringer, Mercury News, 1 June 2026
Many in the Reddit thread were also anticipating the release of Civilization VII DLC.
—Barry Collins, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipating
Verb
-
In an excerpt, published by The Wall Street Journal, from his forthcoming book, the vice president — who is currently expecting his fourth child with his wife — wrote about how Kirk’s fatal shooting at age 31 in Utah in September became a factor in Usha's decision to have another baby.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
But, so far, the numbers show there may not be the overwhelming demand the tourism industry was expecting.—
Brandon Truitt,
CBS News,
6 June 2026
Verb
-
Arsenal anticipated potential managerial changes at rival clubs, foreseeing the departure of Jurgen Klopp from Liverpool, among others.—
James McNicholas,
New York Times,
19 May 2026
-
The survey is an indicator of companies foreseeing good conditions minus those feeling pessimistic.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Three others died on death row; one of them after the state agreed not to try to execute him a second time, and one of them is still alive and awaiting his fate.—
Austin Sarat,
The Conversation,
4 June 2026
-
The other two have been tried and are awaiting a verdict.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Many traders see China’s eventual return to pre-Iran war oil purchasing rates as the key to predicting when oil prices finally lurch higher.—
Devika Krishna Kumar,
Fortune,
6 June 2026
-
Perhaps granting the nation some reprieve, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has projected a below-average hurricane season, predicting eight to 14 named storms.—
Mallory Wilson,
The Hill,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anticipating.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipating. Accessed 9 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
