Anticipate Definition and Meaning
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Published on September 10, 2025
Anticipate means to expect or predict something that will happen in the future, often taking action in preparation for it. e.g., They anticipated the storm and boarded up the windows.
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Anticipate Definitions
To expect or foresee something happening in the future.
She anticipated the question and prepared an answer in advance.
To use or spend (resources) in advance.
She anticipated her savings for the emergency repair.
To take action in preparation for an expected event or situation.
They anticipated heavy traffic and left early.
To deal with something before it becomes necessary.
The city council anticipated the funding issue and adjusted the budget accordingly.
To intercept or catch something in advance.
The goalkeeper anticipated the shot, diving to make the save.
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To buy or obtain something ahead of the time when it is actually needed.
They anticipated the demand for the new phone and ordered extra stock.
To look forward to something with pleasure.
He is anticipating the upcoming vacation with great excitement.
To make a prediction about; forecast.
Analysts anticipate a rise in inflation over the next year.
To act as a forerunner or precursor of.
Modernist architecture can be seen as having anticipated many elements of post-modern design.
To consider something beforehand, typically leading to a more prepared state.
He anticipated the need for a break in the meeting agenda.
To see as a probable occurrence; expect
We hadn't anticipated the crowds at the zoo. I anticipated that you might be in a hurry.
To think of (a future event) with pleasure; look forward to
She anticipated a pleasant hike in the country.
To deal with beforehand; act so as to mitigate, nullify, or prevent
We anticipated the storm by boarding up the windows.
To react to (someone) abruptly, especially to prevent someone from continuing or progressing
"Immediately he regretted his words and started to add.
To act in a way that blocks or vitiates the action of (another)
"Professor Thomson had anticipated me and had obtained many patents on this principle" (Nikola Tesla).
To serve as a forerunner to or previous indication of
Her research in the previous decade anticipated these findings.
To use in advance, as income not yet available.
To pay (a debt) before it is due.
To think, speak, or write about a matter in advance.
(transitive) To act before (someone), especially to prevent an action.
To take up or introduce (something) prematurely.
The advocate plans to anticipate a part of her argument.
To know of (something) before it happens; to expect.
To anticipate the pleasures of a visit
To anticipate the evils of life
Please anticipate a journey of an hour from your house to the airport
To eagerly wait for (something)
Little Johnny started to anticipate the arrival of Santa Claus a week before Christmas.
To be before in doing; to do or take before another; to preclude or prevent by prior action.
To anticipate and prevent the duke's purpose.
He would probably have died by the hand of the executioner, if indeed the executioner had not been anticipated by the populace.
To take up or introduce beforehand, or before the proper or normal time; to cause to occur earlier or prematurely; as, the advocate has anticipated a part of his argument.
To foresee (a wish, command, etc.) and do beforehand that which will be desired.
To foretaste or foresee; to have a previous view or impression of; as, to anticipate the pleasures of a visit; to anticipate the evils of life.
Good with badExpect to hear; supernal grace contendingWith sinfulness of men.
I would not anticipate the relish of any happiness, nor feel the weight of any misery, before it actually arrives.
Timid men were anticipating another civil war.
Regard something as probable or likely;
The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow
Act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
Realize beforehand
Make a prediction about; tell in advance;
Call the outcome of an election
Be excited or anxious about
Be a forerunner of or occur earlier than;
This composition anticipates Impressionism
Anticipate Snonyms
Prepare
To make ready beforehand for a specific purpose, as for an event or occasion.
They prepared the hall for the wedding.
Predict
To say what will happen in the future, often based on experience or knowledge.
He predicted that the team would win.
Expect
To regard something as likely to happen.
We expect the guests to arrive by seven.
Foresee
To see or know about beforehand; envision.
She foresaw difficulties in the new project.
Project
To estimate or forecast (something) based on present trends or data.
The company projects a 10% increase in sales.
Forecast
To predict or estimate a future event or trend.
Meteorologists forecast the weather for the week.
Envision
To picture something mentally, especially some future event or events.
He envisions a successful career for himself.
Preempt
To take action in order to prevent an anticipated event from happening; forestall.
The manager preempted any complaints with a quick response.
Outlook
To have an expectation for the future, often used in business and weather contexts.
The economic outlook for next quarter is positive.
Plan
To design a detailed scheme or method for achieving an objective.
We plan to renovate the kitchen next year.
Anticipate Idioms & Phrases
Anticipate one's every move
To predict and be ready for someone's actions or decisions.
As a seasoned chess player, he could anticipate his opponent's every move.
Anticipate the storm
To prepare for a difficult or troublesome period that is expected.
The company anticipated the storm by securing additional funding before the economic downturn.
Anticipate the need
To foresee a requirement or necessity before it arises.
Their new software anticipates the need for user intervention and automates many processes.
Anticipate the punch
To foresee an action and prepare oneself for it, similar to a boxer preparing for an opponent's strike.
She managed to anticipate the punch and had her response ready during the debate.
Anticipate the call
To expect to be contacted or summoned, typically in a professional context.
He anticipated the call from the hiring manager after his successful interview.
Anticipate the finish line
To focus on the completion of a task or achievement of a goal, often motivating one's actions.
With only a month left, she anticipated the finish line and doubled her efforts.
Anticipate the question
To predict what someone will ask and prepare an answer beforehand.
The CEO anticipated the questions about the company's future and prepared detailed responses.
Anticipate trouble
To expect and prepare for potential difficulties.
They anticipated trouble during the merger, so they hired a consultant to smooth the process.
Anticipate the worst
To expect the worst outcome in a given situation, often to prepare oneself emotionally or practically.
She anticipated the worst when she saw the approaching storm clouds.
Anticipate the applause
To perform or speak in a manner that expects and aims to receive positive feedback or approval.
He delivered the closing line of his speech, anticipating the applause.
Anticipate Example Sentences
He anticipated the call from his boss and prepared his report.
We anticipate that prices will rise next year.
You should anticipate some resistance to the new policy.
The software can anticipate user needs based on their behavior.
You must learn to anticipate problems before they escalate.
I anticipate needing more time to finish the project.
To win chess, you must anticipate your opponent's moves.
They didn't anticipate such a large crowd at the event.
Common Curiosities
How is anticipate used in a sentence?
"Anticipate" is used as a verb, e.g., We anticipate significant improvements in technology next year.
How do we divide anticipate into syllables?
Anticipate is divided as: an-tic-i-pate.
What is the pronunciation of anticipate?
Anticipate is pronounced as /ænˈtɪsɪpeɪt/.
What is the root word of anticipate?
The root word of "anticipate" is the Latin "anticipare."
What is the first form of anticipate?
The first form is "anticipate."
Why is it called anticipate?
The term "anticipate" comes from the Latin "anticipare," meaning to take care of ahead of time, from "anti-" (before) + "capere" (take).
What is the verb form of anticipate?
The verb form is "anticipate," and "anticipated" is the past and past participle form.
How many syllables are in anticipate?
There are four syllables in "anticipate."
What is a stressed syllable in anticipate?
The second syllable is stressed in "anticipate."
What is the third form of anticipate?
The third form is "anticipated."
What is the singular form of anticipate?
The singular form is "anticipates" when used in third person singular present tense.
What part of speech is anticipate?
"Anticipate" is a verb.
Is anticipate an abstract noun?
"Anticipate" is a verb, not a noun.
What is the second form of anticipate?
The second form is "anticipated."
What is another term for anticipate?
Another term for "anticipate" is "foresee."
What is the plural form of anticipate?
The plural form of "anticipate" doesn't change in the verb form; it remains "anticipate" for present tense plural.
Is anticipate a negative or positive word?
"Anticipate" generally has a neutral connotation, but it can be positive when associated with positive outcomes.
Is anticipate a vowel or consonant?
"Anticipate" starts with a vowel sound.
Is anticipate a collective noun?
No, "anticipate" is a verb and not used as a collective noun.
Is the anticipate term a metaphor?
"Anticipate" can be used metaphorically in various contexts, especially when discussing expectations in abstract terms.
Which determiner is used with anticipate?
Determiners such as "the," "a," "any," and "some" can be used depending on the object involved, e.g., "anticipate any problems."
Which preposition is used with anticipate?
Prepositions such as "for," "of," and "about" can be used with "anticipate," e.g., "anticipate for the future," "anticipate the arrival of," "anticipate about the event."
Which conjunction is used with anticipate?
Conjunctions such as "and," "but," and "or" can be used with "anticipate," e.g., "anticipate and prepare," "anticipate but remain cautious," "anticipate or ignore."
What is the opposite of anticipate?
The opposite of anticipate could be "overlook" or "neglect."
Is anticipate an adverb?
No, "anticipate" is not an adverb.
Is anticipate a countable noun?
"Anticipate" is not a noun; it's a verb.
Which vowel is used before anticipate?
A vowel is not specifically used before "anticipate," but articles like "an" may precede it if it's grammatically appropriate, though uncommon as "anticipate" is a verb.
Is anticipate a noun or adjective?
"Anticipate" is a verb.
Is the word anticipate imperative?
"Anticipate" can be used in the imperative mood, e.g., "Anticipate the needs of our guests."
Is the word anticipate Gerund?
"Anticipating" is the gerund form of the verb "anticipate."
Is the word “anticipate” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Anticipate" is a verb that can involve both direct and indirect objects, e.g., "She anticipates trouble (direct object)."
Which article is used with anticipate?
Articles are generally not used directly with "anticipate" as it is a verb, not a noun. However, in noun phrases that follow the verb, articles such as "a," "an," or "the" may be used depending on the context, e.g., "anticipate the consequences," "anticipate a reaction."
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
