anticipation
8 synonyms and 1 antonym for anticipation, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen.
Synonyms
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.
Antonyms
How to use anticipation
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
in anticipation of
wait with anticipation
build anticipation
Etymology
From Latin anticipatio, built on the same root as anticipate.
Full origin of anticipation →Frequently asked questions
What does “anticipation” mean?
The word “anticipation” means the feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen. In plain terms, the eager or nervous feeling of waiting for something, or the act of preparing ahead of time.
How do you pronounce “anticipation”?
“Anticipation” is pronounced an-tihs-ih-PAY-shuhn (/ænˌtɪs.əˈpeɪ.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “anticipation” in a sentence?
Here is “anticipation” used in a sentence: “The children could barely sleep with anticipation the night before the trip.”
What is another word for “anticipation”?
Words with a similar meaning to “anticipation” include expectingness.
What part of speech is “anticipation”?
“Anticipation” is a noun.
Where does the word “anticipation” come from?
The word “anticipation” comes from Latin. From Latin anticipatio, built on the same root as anticipate.
Is “anticipation” a common word?
“Anticipation” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “anticipation” have?
“Anticipation” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen.
What is the difference between "anticipation" and "excitement"?
"Anticipation" specifically describes the feeling of excitement or nervousness while waiting for something to happen, whereas "excitement" is a broader term for heightened emotion that doesn't require waiting for a future event. Anticipation is forward-looking by definition.
What is the difference between "anticipation" and "expectation"?
"Expectation" refers to believing something will happen, while "anticipation" adds an emotional dimension, the excitement or nervousness of waiting for it. You can expect rain without feeling anticipation, but anticipation always carries some emotional charge.
