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

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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 Airlines for America, an airline trade organization, anticipates a record-breaking winter holiday season, with more than 54 million passengers expected to fly on U.S. carriers. —

Ayesha Ali, ABC News, 20 Dec. 2024 While anticipated snowfall varied from state to state, in some parts of New York and Ohio, the NWS forecast total snow accumulations of between four and seven inches. —

Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024 Start with a clear business case, engage your entire organization, anticipate challenges and maintain a human touch. —

Charles Orlando, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2024 Chick-fil-A owner anticipates reopening in approximately two weeks. —

Andy Humbles, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anticipate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipate

Verb

Three people — a 9-year-old boy, a 41-year-old woman and a 49-year-old woman — were taken to the hospital; their conditions were not immediately clear, but all three were expected to survive.

NBC New York, NBC News, 26 Dec. 2024
United are not expected to be busy in the January market but there is plenty of work to do to mould the squad into the image of new manager Ruben Amorim.

Mark Critchley, The Athletic, 26 Dec. 2024