anticipatory

adjective

an·​tic·​i·​pa·​to·​ry an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē 

: characterized by anticipation : anticipating

took anticipatory measures to prevent floods

Synonyms

• agape
• agog
• anticipant
• expectant

Examples of anticipatory in a Sentence

couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning

Recent Examples on the Web

This level of transparency helps candidates engage in anticipatory socialization, essentially seeing themselves in a future role before even applying. —Phil Kirschner, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2025

The Israel model, by contrast, would mean a heavily armed and insecure Ukraine that would have to fend for itself and thus be prone to anticipatory self-defense and unilateral kinetic action in the form of sabotage, covert action, and assassination. —Thomas Wright, Foreign Affairs, 24 Feb. 2025

There’s a lot of anticipatory concern in these areas. —Claire Bugos, Verywell Health, 7 Feb. 2025

But Greenland said that prices could rise sooner, because anticipatory responses to tariffs have been documented. —Evan Moore and, Charlotte Observer, 5 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for anticipatory

• adjudicatory
• articulatory
• classificatory
• conciliatory
• congratulatory
• discriminatory
• ejaculatory
• emancipatory
• hallucinatory
• interlaboratory
• interrogatory
• investigatory

Legal Definition

anticipatory

adjective

an·​tic·​i·​pa·​tory an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtōr-ē 

: of or relating to a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action

an anticipatory challenge brought for declaratory and injunctive relief

—L. H. Tribe

anticipatorily

-ˌti-sə-pə-ˈtōr-ə-lē

adverb