anticipation

noun

(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce anticipation (audio)
Definition of anticipationnext
as in expectation
the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence in anticipation of a job offer, she had already begun looking for an apartment in the city where the company was based

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun anticipation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of anticipation are foretaste, outlook, and prospect. While all these words mean "an advance realization of something to come," anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

When is it sensible to use foretaste instead of anticipation?

While the synonyms foretaste and anticipation are close in meaning, foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

In what contexts can outlook take the place of anticipation?

In some situations, the words outlook and anticipation are roughly equivalent. However, outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

When could prospect be used to replace anticipation?

Although the words prospect and anticipation have much in common, prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

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 anticipation Amazon's Prime Big Deal Days sale has finally arrived after weeks of anticipation, and for the next 48 hours, the site will have numerous Dell laptops, desktops, and monitors on offer for some of the year's deepest discounts. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 6 Oct. 2026 After months of construction and more than a year of anticipation, the roughly 200,000-square-foot Costco warehouse and distribution center is nearing completion at the southeast corner of Meridian and Lake Hazel roads. — Rose Evans october 6, Idaho Statesman, 6 Oct. 2026 Following months of anticipation, Clark’s signature Nike Caitlin 1 sneaker finally made its retail debut Thursday and quickly sold out in a majority of sizes. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 3 Oct. 2026 The show is now arguably the BBC’s biggest entertainment juggernaut and anticipation was huge for last night’s opener. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anticipation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipation
  1. expectation
  2. expectancy
  3. expectance
Noun
  • Approaching life with positive expectations, a get-up-and-go attitude, and eagerness is related to many good things in life.
    — Joan M. Cook, Time, 17 Oct. 2026
  • The company also issued Q3 revenue guidance below analyst expectations.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of expectation
Noun
  • When a call is overturned, Baseball Savant measures the difference in run expectancy between the situation before the pitch/challenge and the situation after the call is flipped.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • As a result, the postgame win expectancy heavily favored Georgia.
    — Ian Miller OutKick, FOXNews.com, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of expectancy
Noun
  • Giannina Altuve posted video of the family celebrating the expectance of their second child on Sunday afternoon.
    — Houston Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, 11 Nov. 2019
Definition of expectance

Browse Nearby Words

anticipating
anticipation
anticipations
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Cite this Entry

“Anticipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipation. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on anticipation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anticipation

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