anticipate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb regard something as probable or likely
    expect.
    • The meteorologists are expecting rain for tomorrow
  2. verb act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
    forestall; counter; foresee.
  3. verb realize beforehand
    foreknow; foresee; previse.
  4. verb make a prediction about; tell in advance
    predict; forebode; foretell; call; promise; prognosticate.
    • Call the outcome of an election
  5. verb be excited or anxious about
    look to; look for.
  6. verb be a forerunner of or occur earlier than
    • This composition anticipates Impressionism

WordNet

An*tic"i*pate transitive verb
Etymology
L. anticipatus, p. p. of anticipare to anticipate; ante + capere to make. See Capable.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Anticipated present participle & verbal noun Anticipating
Definitions
  1. To be before in doing; to do or take before another; to preclude or prevent by prior action.
    To anticipate and prevent the duke's purpose. R. Hall.
    He would probably have died by the hand of the executioner, if indeed the executioner had not been anticipated by the populace. Macaulay.
  2. To take up or introduce beforehand, or before the proper or normal time; to cause to occur earlier or prematurely; as, the advocate has anticipated a part of his argument.
  3. To foresee (a wish, command, etc.) and do beforehand that which will be desired.
  4. To foretaste or foresee; to have a previous view or impression of; as, to anticipate the pleasures of a visit; to anticipate the evils of life. Syn. -- To prevent; obviate; preclude; forestall; expect. -- To Anticipate, Expect. These words, as here compared, agree in regarding some future event as about to take place. Expect is the stringer. It supposes some ground or reason in the mind for considering the event as likely to happen. Anticipate is, literally, to take beforehand, and here denotes simply to take into the mind as conception of the future. Hence, to say, "I did not anticipate a refusal," expresses something less definite and strong than to say, " did not expect it." Still, anticipate is a convenient word to be interchanged with expect in cases where the thought will allow.
    Good with bad Expect to hear; supernal grace contending With sinfulness of men. Milton.
    I would not anticipate the relish of any happiness, nor feel the weight of any misery, before it actually arrives. Spectator.
    Timid men were anticipating another civil war. Macaulay.

Webster 1913