as in watchful
having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something
couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anticipatory
Didion’s book illuminated anticipatory grief and gave me language for my experience.
—
Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Service is flawless and anticipatory—within a day or two, staff address hotel guests by name, remembering coffee and cocktail preferences during meals.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2025
Limited strikes can generate anticipatory displacement—families in border and coastal states who were undecided about leaving decide not to wait.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
As Sportico detailed, Pasadena and the RBOC sued UCLA a couple of weeks ago for breach of contract and anticipatory repudiation.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Literary Hub, 16 Dec. 2025
Service is flawless and anticipatory—within a day or two, staff address hotel guests by name, remembering coffee and cocktail preferences during meals.
—Angelina Villa-Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2025
Limited strikes can generate anticipatory displacement—families in border and coastal states who were undecided about leaving decide not to wait.
—Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Nov. 2025
As Sportico detailed, Pasadena and the RBOC sued UCLA a couple of weeks ago for breach of contract and anticipatory repudiation.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipatory
Adjective
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But the senior royals of today still keep a watchful eye on their guests.—
Stephanie Nolasco , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
28 Mar. 2026
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Sign-toting protesters walked down Colorado Boulevard under the watchful eye of Pasadena police officers on motorcycles.—
Staff And Wire Reports,
Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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For expectant parents, that can mean safer deliveries and more confident medical teams in the room.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
21 Mar. 2026
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Advertisement Get comfortable with silence A moment of silence can feel like an eternity, especially when the mic is in your hands and a sea of expectant eyes are staring right at you.—
Angela Haupt,
Time,
20 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Organizers said sign-ups have been especially enthusiastic in suburban areas with high-profile congressional races like Scottsdale, Arizona; Langhorne, Pennsylvania; East Cobb, Georgia; and here in northern New Jersey’s 11th district, which holds a special election April 7.—
Steve Peoples,
Fortune,
26 Mar. 2026
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So enthusiastic that they were invited back to perform at the 2025 MusicCares, which honored the Grateful Dead.—
George Varga,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Few restaurateurs appear eager to be that pioneer; Whalen’s group isn’t looking to open anything there.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
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Visitors eager to catch a glimpse of the newest member of the Columbus Zoo family will need to wait a bit longer.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
24 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The forthcoming guide, which education officials have described as a first step toward a more comprehensive handbook to be issued at a later date, is coming as families and teachers are deeply divided and anxious about the potential — and pitfalls — of the new technology.—
Cayla Bamberger,
New York Daily News,
23 Mar. 2026
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The promise was also made that the songs would speak to, and/or distract from, the anxious state of the world.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipatory. Accessed 29 Mar. 2026.
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