anticipate
12 synonyms for anticipate, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To expect something and prepare for it in advance.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use anticipate
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
anticipate a problem
anticipate demand
widely anticipated
Etymology
From Latin anticipare, "to take beforehand," from ante- ("before") and capere ("to take").
Full origin of anticipate →Frequently asked questions
What does “anticipate” mean?
The word “anticipate” means to expect something and prepare for it in advance. In plain terms, to expect something in advance and get ready for it.
How do you pronounce “anticipate”?
“Anticipate” is pronounced an-TIHS-ih-payt (/ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “anticipate” in a sentence?
Here is “anticipate” used in a sentence: “The team anticipated tough questions and rehearsed their answers.”
What part of speech is “anticipate”?
“Anticipate” is a verb.
Where does the word “anticipate” come from?
The word “anticipate” comes from Latin. From Latin anticipare, "to take beforehand," from ante- ("before") and capere ("to take").
Is “anticipate” a common word?
“Anticipate” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “anticipate” have?
“Anticipate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to expect something and prepare for it in advance.
What is the difference between "anticipate" and "expect"?
"Expect" simply means to believe something will happen, while "anticipate" implies expecting something and preparing for it in advance. Anticipating an event usually involves taking action ahead of time, not just predicting it.
Is it correct to use "anticipate" to mean simply "expect"?
Although some style guides prefer reserving "anticipate" for situations involving advance preparation, it is widely accepted in everyday English as a synonym for "expect." Careful writers sometimes still choose "expect" when no preparation is implied.
What does it mean to "anticipate" a competitor's move?
In this sense, "anticipate" means to act ahead of someone or something, often to head off a problem before it happens, such as a business anticipating a rival's price cut and adjusting its own prices first. This usage emphasizes strategic foresight.
