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.
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 Its ultra-luxe ships are renowned for their intimate atmosphere and elegant all-suite oceanfront accommodations, most with its own veranda, as well as the anticipatory personalized service. Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2024 While general nostalgia tends to lean more positive emotionally, anticipatory nostalgia has more of a bittersweet tang. Lauren Mazzo, SELF, 8 Oct. 2024 The key to Washington’s response will be to prepare for the possibility that a war could unfold in 2022, to conduct anticipatory coordination with European allies, and to make clear the consequences of such action to Moscow. Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 22 Nov. 2021 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 23 Nov. 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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