anticipate

anticipate — verb

1. to think before something happens that it probably will happen, often based on w

1.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to think before something happens that it probably will happen, often based on what you have already seen or heard.

Example

Sales managers anticipate that customer demand will rise sharply before the holidays.

anticipate + that-clause

Renata anticipates getting a raise after her strong year-end review.

anticipate + -ing form

Common collocations
  • widely anticipated
  • as anticipated
  • anticipate problems
  • anticipate the outcome
Synonyms
  • expect

    more common and neutral; everyday register

  • foresee

    stresses seeing something coming, often a problem

  • predict

    involves a stated forecast, often based on data

Antonyms
  • dismiss

    to treat as not worth considering

  • overlook

    to fail to notice or take into account

Grammar Patterns

anticipate + that-clause

anticipate + -ing

anticipate + noun

Usage Note

Frequently used in formal writing and business or news contexts. Object is typically a future event, outcome, or change rather than a person.

Common Mistakes

We anticipate to finish the project next month.
We anticipate finishing the project next month.
anticipate takes -ing form or a that-clause, never a to-infinitive.
I anticipate that to rain tomorrow.
I anticipate that it will rain tomorrow.
the that-clause needs a full subject and verb.

2. to think ahead about a possible event and do things now so you are ready when it

2.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to think ahead about a possible event and do things now so you are ready when it arrives.

Example

Good chess players anticipate their opponent's next three or four moves.

anticipate + noun (action)

The hospital anticipated the storm by moving extra beds to the upper floors.

anticipate + noun for preparation

Common collocations
  • anticipate problems
  • anticipate the needs of
  • anticipate demand
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • neglect

    to fail to take care of in advance

Grammar Patterns

anticipate + noun

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 stops at predicting; this sense always involves a real action taken in advance. Object is usually a problem, need, or event you can practically prepare for.

Common Mistakes

The team anticipated to the storm.
The team anticipated the storm.
no preposition before the object.

3. to feel happy and a little excited because you know something nice is about to h

3.verbtransitiveC1
Definition

to feel happy and a little excited because you know something nice is about to happen.

Example

The children eagerly anticipated the arrival of their grandparents from Osaka.

eagerly anticipate + noun

Clara had been anticipating this moment since she signed up for the marathon.

progressive form for sustained excitement

Common collocations
  • eagerly anticipate
  • keenly anticipated
  • long-anticipated
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • dread

    to fear something coming

Grammar Patterns

anticipate + noun

anticipate + -ing

Usage Note

Often paired with adverbs like 'eagerly', 'keenly', or 'long'. In everyday speech, 'look forward to' is more natural; this sense is more common in writing.

Common Mistakes

I anticipate to see you at the concert.
I anticipate seeing you at the concert.
use the -ing form, not the to-infinitive.

4. to do or say something earlier than another person, so that you reach the result

4.verbtransitiveC2
Definition

to do or say something earlier than another person, so that you reach the result or take the chance before they can.

Example

The young scientist anticipated her rivals by publishing her findings in March.

anticipate + somebody by + -ing

A French inventor had anticipated Bell with a similar telephone design years earlier.

anticipate + somebody (academic/historical use)

Common collocations
  • anticipate a rival
  • anticipate the move
  • anticipate the play
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • follow

    to come after rather than before

Grammar Patterns

anticipate + somebody (in doing something)

Usage Note

Often appears in academic writing about discoveries and inventions, and in sports reporting about defensive moves. Subject and object are usually rivals, competitors, or opposing players.

Common Mistakes

She anticipated to her opponent and won the point.
She anticipated her opponent and won the point.
direct object, no preposition, no to-infinitive.

Word family

  • anticipation
    nounB2
  • anticipated
    adjectiveB2
  • unanticipated
    adjectiveC1
  • anticipatory
    adjectiveC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All five verbs point to a future event, but they differ in tone and use. 'Expect' is the everyday neutral choice — you simply think something will happen ('I expect rain later'). 'Anticipate' sounds more formal and often suggests you have thought carefully about the event, sometimes preparing for it; common in business writing and news. 'Foresee' stresses seeing trouble or a result before it arrives, often used about long-term outcomes. 'Predict' implies stating a clear forecast, usually based on data or expert judgement. 'Await' is the most formal and means to wait for something specific, with no claim about probability. Compare: 'Investors expect a rate cut' (plain), 'Investors anticipate a rate cut and have moved their money' (with action), 'Economists predict a 0.25% cut' (stated forecast).

anticipate ↗expect ↗foresee ↗predict ↗await ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • as anticipated
  • long-anticipated
  • much anticipated
  • anticipate the worst

Etymology

LatinLate LatinEnglish

Comes from the Latin verb 'anticipare', built from 'ante-' (before) and 'capere' (to take). The original sense was literally 'to take beforehand' — to act on something before its expected time. Entered English through Latin in the 1500s, first carrying the 'act in advance' meaning. The 'expect' and 'look forward to' senses developed later, as the idea of taking something in advance softened into mentally taking the future event into account ahead of time.