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
But anticipatory stress is just one of the possible reasons behind these perpetual feelings of sadness during the holidays.
—
Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2025
Didion’s book illuminated anticipatory grief and gave me language for my experience.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Limited strikes can generate anticipatory displacement—families in border and coastal states who were undecided about leaving decide not to wait.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
As Sportico detailed, Pasadena and the RBOC sued UCLA a couple of weeks ago for breach of contract and anticipatory repudiation.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Caitlin Pagán, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2025
Didion’s book illuminated anticipatory grief and gave me language for my experience.
—Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Limited strikes can generate anticipatory displacement—families in border and coastal states who were undecided about leaving decide not to wait.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
As Sportico detailed, Pasadena and the RBOC sued UCLA a couple of weeks ago for breach of contract and anticipatory repudiation.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipatory
Adjective
-
Gallery guards keep a watchful eye on any verboten photo taking or loud conversation.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The agency said drivers would need to be in the vehicle and keep a watchful eye on it.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The expectant princess made headlines in a single-shoulder, drop-waist Bruce Oldfield gown in vivid, blue silk.—
Natalie Arroyo Camacho,
InStyle,
2 Apr. 2026
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In Chicago, an entire franchise teeters on Bedard’s shoulders, with his youthful teammates propping up that expectant weight.—
Dan Robson,
New York Times,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Boomer is particularly enthusiastic to introduce the world to the latter actress, who previously appeared in Steven Spielberg's The Fabelmans and Prime Video's Hunters.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Chinese people, particularly younger ones, have long been enthusiastic about wordplay.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Ground zero Last year, Glenn Roquemore, who chairs the education committee of the Flying Leathernecks Heritage Foundation, was searching for eager students to build the iconic Jenny plane, based off of one that had been crashed and never restored.—
Victoria Le,
Oc Register,
14 Apr. 2026
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The casting has been highly anticipated, with fans eager to see how the EmHen universe love stories will translate onscreen — even going so far as to share dream casting choices.—
Lexy Perez,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The 60-year-old was anxious at the onset of the spring planting season, rattling off the long list of issues affecting his family’s livelihood at their 2,000-acre farm near Wahoo, Nebraska.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 Apr. 2026
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Like him, Rue is squirming under Laurie’s thumb, anxious to get out.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipatory. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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