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
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
The glint and thrum of Y2K aesthetics—as contrasted with the droning conservatism of the white-collar office—read as anticipatory rather than melancholic, looking toward a future liberated from systems of old.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
Williams did a nice job with an anticipatory throw to Moore for third-and-5 for a first down.
—Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
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
The glint and thrum of Y2K aesthetics—as contrasted with the droning conservatism of the white-collar office—read as anticipatory rather than melancholic, looking toward a future liberated from systems of old.
—Lauren Michele Jackson, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2025
Williams did a nice job with an anticipatory throw to Moore for third-and-5 for a first down.
—Kevin Fishbain, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipatory
Adjective
-
Their watchful eyes and swift response can make all the difference in a water emergency.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 Oct. 2025
-
His Emmys keep a watchful eye from beside his TV.—
Katherine Laidlaw,
HubSpot,
10 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Fedorus recalled her initial concerns as a then-expectant parent in a personal essay for the CBC.—
David Chiu,
PEOPLE,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Listen to him bum-rush a workers’ union meeting and begin describing, with over-enthusiastic earnestness, how dogs get a raw deal.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Now, a couple of posts can result in an influx of enthusiastic participants for rookie organizers who lack the structure to host them.—
Cate Charron,
IndyStar,
17 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Now, stepping in Kansas City is shifting to a younger crowd that is eager to learn how to do the dance and continue on the legacy.—
Alexa Stone
Updated October 21,
Kansas City Star,
21 Oct. 2025
-
Fadaka-Soetan was one of the eager Lil Yachty fans that followed people onto the field and managed to get close to the stage alongside her friend, Brent.—
Jennah Pendleton,
Sacbee.com,
21 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Hailey, usually the more anxious one, was struck when her typically calm husband brought it up first.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
19 Oct. 2025
-
Volunteers became depressed, irritable, anxious, and withdrawn.—
Clayton Dalton,
New Yorker,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipatory. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.
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