anticipatory

adjective

an·​tic·​i·​pa·​to·​ry an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē How to pronounce anticipatory (audio)
: characterized by anticipation : anticipating
took anticipatory measures to prevent floods

Examples of anticipatory in a Sentence

couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Provide anticipatory job training sessions as well as career development opportunities to keep confidence and commitment at high levels. Martin Zwilling, Forbes, 1 Dec. 2024 From the 6-yard line, Williams made an anticipatory throw to the back left corner of the end zone and dropped it right in the arms of Odunze for the score. Kevin Fishbain, The Athletic, 29 July 2024 Productivity guilt and anticipatory anxiety can also be the result of a current circumstance (like an unhealthy workplace or an overwhelming role as a caretaker), Nasir says. Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 16 Oct. 2024 At this year’s UN General Assembly, ECW announced a $2.5 million grant to UNICEF to pilot anticipatory actions across six districts in Pakistan that are highly vulnerable to flooding. Unicef Usa, Forbes, 29 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for anticipatory 

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anticipatory was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near anticipatory

Cite this Entry

“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipatory. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Legal Definition

anticipatory

adjective
an·​tic·​i·​pa·​tory an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtōr-ē How to pronounce anticipatory (audio)
: of or relating to a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action
an anticipatory challenge brought for declaratory and injunctive reliefL. H. Tribe
anticipatorily
-ˌti-sə-pə-ˈtōr-ə-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on anticipatory

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