Synonyms of anticipation

anticipation

noun

(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən 

as in expectation

the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence

in anticipation of a job offer, she had already begun looking for an apartment in the city where the company was based

Synonyms & Similar Words

• expectation
• expectancy
• expectance
• contemplation
• prospect
• dread
• apprehension
• alarm
• foreboding
• misgiving

Synonym Chooser

How does the noun anticipation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of anticipation are foretaste, outlook, and prospect. While all these words mean "an advance realization of something to come," anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

When is it sensible to use foretaste instead of anticipation?

While the synonyms foretaste and anticipation are close in meaning, foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

In what contexts can outlook take the place of anticipation?

In some situations, the words outlook and anticipation are roughly equivalent. However, outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

When could prospect be used to replace anticipation?

Although the words prospect and anticipation have much in common, prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of anticipation

Instead of letting go of the ball and throwing with anticipation, Mendoza scrambled. — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Part of what happens with the impressive hobby is that the anticipation and the retelling carry most of its emotional weight, while the experience itself is compressed into a few days and then absorbed into memory. — Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

For months, Herzog’s pregnancy had been defined by survival rather than anticipation. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 18 Aug. 2026

Even so, the mood on the polar ship had been pure anticipation. — Suman Naishadham, Chicago Tribune, 12 Aug. 2026