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
The anticipatory behavior wasn't triggered by changes in light or temperature—variables that remained largely unchanged until the eclipse.
—
Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
This was most prominent in older trees, which may have gained such impressive anticipatory abilities by growing accustomed to eclipse patterns over their long lifespan.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Prescriptive and anticipatory models and adaptable response frameworks enable businesses to manage risks proactively and respond quickly.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
DevSecOps security stands stronger and more anticipatory because potential breaches are both identified early and remediated before threats can deliver major consequences.
—Sai Sandeep Ogety, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Thomas Westerholm, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
This was most prominent in older trees, which may have gained such impressive anticipatory abilities by growing accustomed to eclipse patterns over their long lifespan.
—Jack Knudson, Discover Magazine, 30 Apr. 2025
Prescriptive and anticipatory models and adaptable response frameworks enable businesses to manage risks proactively and respond quickly.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
DevSecOps security stands stronger and more anticipatory because potential breaches are both identified early and remediated before threats can deliver major consequences.
—Sai Sandeep Ogety, Forbes, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipatory
Adjective
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Under the watchful eye of coach Jono Zissi, the program has morphed from a perennial contender into a certified dynasty.—
Clark Fahrenthold,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 May 2025
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Behind them, quiet and watchful, Maester Rodrik whispered a prayer to gods long abandoned, his voice trembling with dread beneath the vast, indifferent sky.—
Kelsey Piper,
Vox,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Breastfeeding Happy Hour support group: Hosted by the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program at the Florida Department of Health in Osceola County for expectant and new moms.—
Joe Rassel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
14 May 2025
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One thing is for certain, the legendary former midfielder has work on his hands to get Real Madrid back on track and appease an expectant fanbase that has forgotten all that Ancelotti did for the club just a year ago.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
12 May 2025
Adjective
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Like Sánchez, many Chicago-area Catholics are making the nearly 4,000-mile pilgrimage to the Vatican to witness the inauguration Mass and other papal events this month, eager to celebrate one of their own rising to become Catholicism’s spiritual leader.—
Angie Leventis Lourgos,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2025
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Sometimes the person accepting the soft promotion is eager to move up the ladder.—
Dr. Diane Hamilton,
Forbes.com,
16 May 2025
Adjective
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In 2019, Joker received an enthusiastic eight-minute reception in Venice.—
Nancy Tartaglione,
Deadline,
13 May 2025
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And of course, the ship’s enthusiastic and highly experienced dive masters are always there make sure the diving is safe and fun.—
Bill Springer,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2025
Adjective
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In the novel’s historical re-creation, is there an anxious note to Americans now losing themselves in accommodation?—
David Denby,
New Yorker,
23 May 2025
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An inaccurate diagnosis might lead to unnecessary or risky treatment, and a false positive can cause stress by requiring additional tests and anxious waits for results.—
Max Votek,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipatory. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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