as in watchful
having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something
couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anticipatory
While much of health-care hiring is driven by necessity, anticipatory hiring is picking up in retail and transportation for employers to get ahead of the holiday shopping season, signaling that businesses expect consumer spending to be strong through the rest of the year.
—
Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
In the meantime, the musician is setting the anticipatory bar high.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Some of the behavior of the economy in the 2nd quarter was anticipatory, and transitory.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Over the last half-billion years, squid, octopuses and their kin have evolved much like a fireworks display, with long, anticipatory pauses interspersed with intense, explosive changes.
—Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Jennifer Liu, CNBC, 19 Sep. 2025
In the meantime, the musician is setting the anticipatory bar high.
—Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2025
Some of the behavior of the economy in the 2nd quarter was anticipatory, and transitory.
—George Calhoun, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
Over the last half-billion years, squid, octopuses and their kin have evolved much like a fireworks display, with long, anticipatory pauses interspersed with intense, explosive changes.
—Jake Buehler, Quanta Magazine, 28 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipatory
Adjective
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Then, in September and October, Ali, Mahmoud and Person 1 began practicing at local shooting ranges, under the watchful eye of FBI agents, the complaint states.—
Chelsea Bailey,
CNN Money,
4 Nov. 2025
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Robin is about 30% autonomous, while a team of operators working remotely controls the rest under the watchful eyes of clinical staff.—
HALLIE GOLDEN THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
26 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The maternity concierge serves as a liaison, guiding expectant parents through the multifaceted stages of pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period, alleviating anxiety and stress while assisting families in navigating the journey.—
MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center,
Oc Register,
16 Oct. 2025
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Fedorus recalled her initial concerns as a then-expectant parent in a personal essay for the CBC.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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According to Nietzel, the increase seems to be driven by a younger demographic, who are generally more open-minded and enthusiastic about treatments, and view it as a form of bonding time.—
Ariana Yaptangco,
Glamour,
29 Oct. 2025
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China also wasn’t the pushover that the most enthusiastic spy reports suggested.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Legacy OEMs joined in on the action, as well, with debuts from McLaren and Rolls-Royce drawing crowds eager to get up close and personal or snap a selfie with the latest and greatest.—
Michael Van Runkle,
Robb Report,
4 Nov. 2025
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While Williams has always kept her love life private, fans are eager to know more about the man who captured her heart.—
Elizabeth Ayoola,
Essence,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Redirect their attention If your dog is anxious and barking in a panic, your first step is to remove them from the trigger.—
Madeline Gunderson,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Late nights and anxious supplications.—
Steve Rushin,
The Atlantic,
2 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipatory. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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