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
Being middle class comes with a fear of losing a specific sense of safety; the existential quest is finding out if there’s more to life than clutching onto your stuff in anticipatory panic.
—
Francesco Pacifico,
The Dial,
12 May 2026
Happiness mingled with a kind of anticipatory grief.
—
Susan Young,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
In typical Aman fashion, service is incredibly anticipatory and proactive.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
In 2025, some Central Florida municipalities increased service fees — such as fire and stormwater fees — in part as an anticipatory measure of losing property tax revenue.
—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Francesco Pacifico,
The Dial,
12 May 2026
Happiness mingled with a kind of anticipatory grief.
—
Susan Young,
PEOPLE,
10 May 2026
In typical Aman fashion, service is incredibly anticipatory and proactive.
—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
6 May 2026
In 2025, some Central Florida municipalities increased service fees — such as fire and stormwater fees — in part as an anticipatory measure of losing property tax revenue.
—
Abigail Hasebroock,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipatory
Adjective
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Wildlife enthusiasts find a different rhythm through AmaWaterways’ Africa Safaris & Wildlife Cruises, one that trades itinerary sprinting for long, watchful hours on the water.
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Cruz is alluring and watchful, while Norton turns out to be the film’s secret weapon.
Adjective
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Trump’s order was immediately challenged through multiple lawsuits filed by expectant parents, immigrant rights groups and 22 state attorneys general.
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Batches of limited stock sales will be allowed in the coming months, however, and some real estate agents and bankers are putting together workarounds to help expectant millionaires leverage their future gains to secure loans.
Adjective
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But it's been on the court where Hargitay has proved to be one of Brunson's most enthusiastic supporters, frequently attending Knicks games at Madison Square Garden.
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Here’s help The Tartan Army took over Miami Scottish fans are enthusiastic, rambunctious, loud and — more than anything — organized.
Adjective
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Brown, though, is in the prime of his career and no doubt eager to prove the Celtics wrong for trading him after a decade in Boston.
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Up in arms about the way the government has been controlling the food supply, the common folk are eager to test their newfound democratic power.
Adjective
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Though fans are anxious to see Andrade return to more events, her job in Rio is done.
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Homeless, his body torn, Odysseus needs to get back to her and Telemachus, his anxious son, and to clean up the mess.
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipatory. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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