anticipate
Expect something to happen
To think that something will probably happen in the future.
to anticipate [something]
- Analysts anticipate a sharp rise in oil prices next year.
- No one anticipated that the negotiations would break down so quickly.
- The company failed to anticipate how popular the product would be.
- We anticipate that sales will slow in the second quarter.
- The decision was widely anticipated by political commentators.
- Experts anticipate lower prices next year.
- I did not anticipate this problem.
- The teacher anticipated your question.
- They anticipate heavy traffic this weekend.
- We anticipate that the game will start late.
Look forward to something
To be happy and excited now because something good will happen later.
to anticipate [event]
- The children are eagerly anticipating Christmas morning.
- Fans around the world are anticipating the singer’s new album.
- She quietly anticipated the moment she would finally see her family again.
- We all anticipated the holiday with great excitement.
- The most anticipated match of the season sold out in minutes.
- I really anticipate my trip next month.
- The students anticipate the long summer break.
- He anticipates the party on Friday.
- They anticipate seeing their old friends again.
- We all anticipate her visit.
Act in advance to prepare
To think about a future problem or need and do something early to be ready for it.
to anticipate [problem / need]
- Good managers anticipate problems before they become crises.
- The design team tried to anticipate potential failures in the system.
- We need to anticipate customer needs rather than simply responding to complaints.
- Security staff had anticipated the large crowds and added extra checkpoints.
- The policy was created to anticipate future changes in the industry.
- We must anticipate problems and fix them early.
- The company anticipates customer needs and offers new services.
- A good teacher anticipates questions from students.
- They did not anticipate this risk, so they lost money.
- The city anticipates heavy rain and closes some roads.
Cause something to occur earlier
To make a meeting, action, or event happen sooner than planned.
to anticipate [event / deadline]
- Because of the approaching storm, the organizers anticipated the match by one day.
- The company decided to anticipate the product launch to beat its competitors.
- Repayment of the loan was anticipated at the client’s request.
- The deadline was anticipated to allow more time for review.
- They anticipated the ceremony so that elderly relatives could attend.
- The school anticipated the exam by one week.
- They anticipated the meeting because many people were busy later.
- The deadline was anticipated to Friday.
- We anticipated the visit so my parents could come.
- The company anticipated the launch date.
- Base: anticipate
- 3rd Person Singular: anticipates
- Present Participle: anticipating
- Past: anticipated
anticipate problems
1Prepare for possible problems
To think about what could go wrong in the future and make a plan so those problems are smaller or do not happen.
- We need to anticipate problems before we launch this product.
- Good project managers anticipate problems instead of waiting for them to appear.
- If you anticipate problems, you can often save time and money later.
anticipate someone's needs
1Provide needs before being asked
To guess what another person will need and give it to them before they ask for it.
- A good host anticipates guests’ needs before they even say anything.
- The new app tries to anticipate your needs based on your daily routine.
- Nurses often have to anticipate patients’ needs during the night.
as anticipated
1As was expected
Used to say that something happened in the way people thought it would happen.
- As anticipated, tickets sold out within a few hours.
- The meeting, as anticipated, took most of the afternoon.
- Profits fell in the first quarter, as anticipated by analysts.
eagerly anticipated
1Looked forward to with excitement
Describes something that people are waiting for with a lot of excitement and interest.
- The eagerly anticipated concert sold out in minutes.
- Her eagerly anticipated novel finally reached bookstores today.
- The eagerly anticipated festival was cancelled due to heavy rain.
highly anticipated
1Very strongly expected
Describes something that many people are strongly expecting, often with interest or excitement.
- The highly anticipated sequel will be released next month.
- Her highly anticipated speech drew a large online audience.
- The team lost their highly anticipated home opener.
much-anticipated
1Strongly expected and talked about
Used before a noun to show that many people have been waiting for this thing for a long time.
- The much-anticipated report was finally published today.
- Fans lined up for the much-anticipated movie premiere.
- Their much-anticipated wedding will take place this summer.