anticipate
verb (transitive)
UK/ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/US/ænˈtɪs.ə.peɪt/
To act in advance of something, especially to prevent or respond to it.
Example Sentences
The city anticipated the heavy snowfall by deploying extra snowplows.
She anticipated the needs of her guests and prepared a variety of snacks.
They anticipated potential problems and developed contingency plans.
The company anticipated a surge in demand and increased production accordingly.
He anticipated the outcome of the negotiations and adjusted his strategy.
By anticipating the changes in the market, the business was able to stay ahead of competitors.
The teacher anticipated the students' questions and prepared thorough answers.
We anticipated that the event would draw a large crowd, so we arranged additional seating.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To foresee and prepare for an upcoming situation or outcome.“Anticipate” means you expect something to happen and often take steps in advance. For instance, if you anticipate heavy traffic, you might leave earlier. Businesses might anticipate market trends, adjusting strategies before demand shifts. Similarly, in daily life, you might anticipate a friend’s needs by setting out snacks before they arrive. In more formal writing, specify what is anticipated and why—“We anticipate a 10% increase in sales next quarter due to marketing efforts,” clarifying both the expectation and its underlying reasons. Using “anticipate” can convey confidence and foresight; it indicates you’re actively looking ahead rather than passively waiting. For personal growth, anticipating change can encourage proactive planning, whether it’s learning a new skill to meet shifting job requirements or budgeting for a future expense. In essence, the word implies readiness and a forward-thinking approach to managing what’s on the horizon.
Alternatives
When you’d like synonyms, “expect” is the closest in meaning, signifying that you believe something is likely to occur. However, “anticipate” often adds a note of proactive readiness, while “expect” can be more neutral. “Foresee” emphasizes predicting future developments, sometimes with a visionary tone. “Look ahead to” leans casual, highlighting excitement or preparation. “Forecast” appears frequently in business or meteorological contexts, describing a formal prediction. Meanwhile, “await” feels more passive, lacking the active preparation hinted at by “anticipate.” Choosing among these terms shapes your audience’s perception of how actively you’re preparing for whatever’s coming.
Writing
In formal writing—like a proposal or project plan—use “anticipate” to project likely outcomes and explain how you’ll address them. For example, “We anticipate increased traffic on the website after the campaign launch, so we’ve upgraded our servers.” This phrasing underlines your foresight and ability to plan for challenges. In academic papers, linking “anticipate” with supporting data can strengthen your argument, showing a calculated approach. For narratives or essays, “anticipate” can reveal a character’s mindset: “She anticipated trouble the moment she saw the darkening sky,” hinting at both her intuition and readiness. Compared to simpler words like “expected,” “anticipate” subtly suggests more deliberate or worried preparation. Even in persuasive writing, anticipating objections can prove your point is well-reasoned, since you tackle counterarguments before readers raise them. Pairing “anticipate” with evidence, timelines, or strategies illustrates a methodical, proactive stance.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “anticipate” might show up when you’re prepping for daily tasks or plans. You might say, “I anticipate a busy weekend,” letting friends know you expect lots of errands or social events. Or before traveling, “I anticipate some delays at the airport,” signals your intention to leave early or pack snacks. People often view anticipating as a positive trait: you’re practical, organized, and rarely caught off guard. You can also spin it playfully—like “I can’t help but anticipate how great the new restaurant’s menu will be!” using the word to reflect excitement rather than duty. In a group setting, acknowledging you anticipate certain outcomes might prompt others to help or collaborate. For instance, “I anticipate we’ll need a few volunteers for the party setup,” gently recruits those around you to pitch in, reinforcing communal readiness and teamwork.
Etymology
“Anticipate” descends from the Latin “anticipare,” meaning “to take care of ahead of time,” formed from “anti-” (before) and “capere” (to take). In early English usage, it carried a sense of forestalling or taking action before a situation fully unfolded—often in legal or financial contexts. Over time, “anticipate” expanded into general speech, adopting the dual notion of expecting something and preparing for it. This nuance endures today, emphasizing both awareness of forthcoming possibilities and a willingness to address them. Whether you’re anticipating changes in weather or economic shifts, the term underscores a mindset of readiness that stretches back centuries.
