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 Due to the stop, the plane arrived in Detroit three hours later than anticipated, according to the tracking site Flight Radar. Ayah Imran, Freep.com, 18 July 2025 Minimal overnight activity is anticipated – mostly smoldering and creeping in brush and timber understory with low if any flame lengths and slow rates of spread. Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 18 July 2025 The Senate is holding a marathon series of votes ahead of any final decision on the spending cuts, anticipated late July 16 or early the next morning. Savannah Kuchar, USA Today, 17 July 2025 The company anticipates cleanup efforts to wrap up at the end of August, but the target may be adjusted as needed to ensure safety. Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for anticipate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipate
Verb
  • When complete, the plant is expected to employ 5,000 workers.
    Connor Giffin, The Courier-Journal, 25 July 2025
  • Construction is expected to continue through the latter half of 2028, displacing conference programming held in the building until the 2029 festival.
    Mars Salazar, Austin American Statesman, 25 July 2025
Verb
  • Wind gusts of up to 50 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are foreseen.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2025
  • The bank foresees the lingerie retailer falling an additional 14%.
    Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • Google’s phone is racing ahead with Android 16 and new security and privacy features, while Samsung awaits its own rollout.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 15 July 2025
  • As school districts brace for budget shortfalls, communities await a decision that could reshape access to education and enrichment nationwide.
    Amanda Castro Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 July 2025
Verb
  • The National Weather Service in Indianapolis predicted strong and potentially severe thunderstorms Saturday afternoon into the evening, and the rain has just arrived.
    Katie Wiseman, IndyStar, 19 July 2025
  • Western Tech doesn’t train truck drivers, but the college predicts a handful of its programs will be eligible for the new grants.
    Natalie Yahr, jsonline.com, 19 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Anticipate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipate. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on anticipate

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