ANTICIPATE Synonyms: 47 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'anticipate' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of anticipate are divine , foreknow , and foresee . While all these words mean "to know beforehand," anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens. // the waiter anticipated our every need

Q: How are the words 'divine' and 'foresee' related as synonyms of 'anticipate'?

Divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment. // was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

Q: When would 'foreknow' be a good substitute for 'anticipate'?

Although the words foreknow and anticipate have much in common, foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation. // if only we could foreknow our own destinies

Q: In what contexts can 'foresee' take the place of 'anticipate'?

The synonyms foresee and anticipate are sometimes interchangeable, but foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience. // economists should have foreseen the recession

anticipate

verb

an-ˈti-sə-ˌpāt

Definition of anticipate next

as in to expect

to believe in the future occurrence of (something) I anticipate that we'll be seeing you for New Year's

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to foresee

to realize or know about beforehand I anticipated this unhelpful response

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word anticipate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of anticipate are divine, foreknow, and foresee. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens.

the waiter anticipated our every need

How are the words divine and foresee related as synonyms of anticipate?

Divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.

was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

When would foreknow be a good substitute for anticipate?

Although the words foreknow and anticipate have much in common, foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

In what contexts can foresee take the place of anticipate?

The synonyms foresee and anticipate are sometimes interchangeable, but foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of anticipate An attack on trans people’s identification documents in the early hours of Trump’s new term had been widely anticipated. —

Nico Lang, Them, 20 Jan. 2025 This year, Bouqs anticipates sending over 7 million stems for Valentine’s Day — 1.2 million expected to be roses. —

Alexandra Pastore, WWD, 20 Jan. 2025 Bitcoin gained steam last week as traders anticipated the inauguration, viewed by many in crypto as symbolic of a new golden era of more supportive crypto regulation in the U.S. Ahead of the event, speculation that Trump might announce an executive order on crypto early in his new term grew. —

Tanaya MacHeel, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025 Withdrawal from the agreement was anticipated to be among Trump’s first actions in office, which are expected to focus in large part on energy and environmental policy. —

Zack Budryk, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for anticipate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipate

Verb

In the first phase of the ceasefire deal, 33 hostages -- including women, children, sick people and those over 50 -- are expected to be released gradually in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

— SHLOMO MOR AND WAAFA SHURAFA THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2025
The coldest air of the season is expected across Florida on Saturday morning with even the potential for falling iguanas!

— Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 25 Jan. 2025