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

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

Example 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 Meanwhile, recent data shows that New Zealand's economic growth prior to the conflict was stronger than previously anticipated, with household and business confidence rebounding. — CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026 Other diseases are less easy to anticipate and can rapidly spread at any point in the year, according to Fredrickson. — Hali Smith, Idaho Statesman, 28 Aug. 2026 These men never anticipated being dumped in a New Jersey ditch so far from home. — Jennifer Janofsky, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026 But the race has not turned into the nail-biter most anticipated, and Democrats outside Georgia are taking notice – at a time when the party is debating how to escape the political wilderness and win back a majority in Congress. — Sam Gringlas, NPR, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anticipate

Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipate

Verb

It's aimed at users who expect frequent everyday use and prefer to touch up their own edge more easily.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026
Chevron expects to be able produce about 600,000 barrels a day from its Venezuelan oil projects in five years, up from roughly 300,000 today.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of expect

Verb

Bohm has been out awaiting trial after his family posted $4 million bail.

— Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2026
With time running out to get the deal done, both clubs agreed to sanction a joint medical and sent private jets to France, awaiting transport for the player to either London or the north east.

— Eduardo Tansley, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of await

Verb

Malkovich’s turn as Chris, the eccentric and aging veteran, already has awards prognosticators predicting his return to the Oscars race.

— Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Last week’s guest subscriber, Manchester United fan Matt from London, predicted six correct results out of 10 to send the readers to the top of the table.

— Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of predict

Browse Nearby Words

anticipant

anticipate

anticipated

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“Anticipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipate. Accessed 6 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of anticipate

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