anticipate
gb/æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪt/ us/æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪt/
B2
English
~ 8400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
state
1
Expect something to happen
To think that something will probably happen in the future.
Usage pattern:
to anticipate [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"anticipate to"* (e.g. *"I anticipate to win"*). This is incorrect. Use *"anticipate doing [something]"* ("I anticipate winning") or *"anticipate that [clause]"* ("I anticipate that I will win"). Learners also confuse it with *"expect"*; “anticipate” can sound slightly more formal and can suggest more mental preparation.
Synonyms
expect (More common and slightly less formal; often used in everyday speech where “anticipate” would also work.)
|
foresee (Stresses mental prediction and sometimes special insight, not just normal expectation.)
Antonyms
be taken by surprise (Describes not having expected something at all, the opposite of anticipating it.)
Collocations
anticipate problems
|anticipate questions
|anticipate demand
|anticipate changes
|widely anticipated
|anticipate that [clause]
Themes
planning
|prediction
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- 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.
Verb
B2
state
2
Look forward to something
To be happy and excited now because something good will happen later.
Usage pattern:
to anticipate [event]
Common mistake:
Many learners think *"anticipate"* always sounds natural in the meaning of *"look forward to"*. In casual speech, *"look forward to"* is usually more natural; *"anticipate"* can sound more formal or written. Also remember that *"anticipate"* takes a direct object, not *"to"* plus infinitive: say *"anticipate the party"*, not *"anticipate to go to the party"*.
Synonyms
look forward to (More common in everyday speech; clearly informal-neutral and often used about personal plans.)
|
await (Often a bit more formal or literary; does not always imply strong excitement.)
Antonyms
dread (Means to fear and not want a future event, the emotional opposite of happily anticipating it.)
Collocations
eagerly anticipate
|keenly anticipated
|much-anticipated event
|audience anticipation
|fans anticipate
|long-anticipated reunion
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|leisure
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- 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.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
Act in advance to prepare
To think about a future problem or need and do something early to be ready for it.
Usage pattern:
to anticipate [problem / need]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *"anticipate"* only for mental prediction and forget that it can also include taking action early. In business and formal writing, *"anticipate"* often means to plan or act in advance to handle a future problem or need.
Synonyms
prepare for (Focuses on getting ready, without always stressing that you saw the thing coming in detail.)
|
pre-empt (Stresses taking action early so that a problem or criticism cannot happen.)
Antonyms
react to (Means to respond only after something has already happened, instead of planning before it.)
Collocations
anticipate problems
|anticipate objections
|anticipate needs
|anticipate risks
|anticipate demand
|anticipate difficulties
Themes
business
|planning
|risk
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- 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.
Verb
formal
C2
action
4
Cause something to occur earlier
To make a meeting, action, or event happen sooner than planned.
Usage pattern:
to anticipate [event / deadline]
Common mistake:
This meaning is rare and quite formal. Learners may misread examples like *"the deadline was anticipated"* as simple “expected” (sense 1) rather than “moved earlier.” Context usually shows whether time has changed.
Synonyms
bring forward (Common phrasal verb meaning to move something to an earlier time; usually less formal.)
Antonyms
postpone (Means to delay something to a later time, the opposite of making it happen earlier.)
Collocations
anticipate the deadline
|anticipate the meeting
|anticipate repayment
|anticipate delivery
|payment was anticipated
|deadline was anticipated
Themes
business
|time
|planning
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- 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.
Learner examples
- 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.
Grammar
Dictionary form
anticipate
IPA
GB/æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪt/
US/æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
an - ti - cip - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ti)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: anticipate
- 3rd Person Singular: anticipates
- Present Participle: anticipating
- Past: anticipated
Word family
Forms
anticipates
verb
anticipating
verb
anticipated
verb
Core family
anticipation
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
unanticipated
adjective
Advanced or less common
anticipatory
adjective
Expressions
anticipate problems
1/æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪt pɹˈɑbləmz/
fixed phrase
Prepare 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.
Examples
- 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
1/æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪt sˈʌmwˌʌnz nˈidz/
fixed phrase
Provide needs before being asked
To guess what another person will need and give it to them before they ask for it.
Examples
- 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
1/ˈæz æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
As was expected
Used to say that something happened in the way people thought it would happen.
Examples
- 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
1/ˈiɡɚli æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
Looked forward to with excitement
Describes something that people are waiting for with a lot of excitement and interest.
Examples
- 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
1/hˈaɪli æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
Very strongly expected
Describes something that many people are strongly expecting, often with interest or excitement.
Examples
- 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
1/mˈʌt͡ʃ æntˈɪsɪpˌeɪtɪd/
fixed phrase
Strongly expected and talked about
Used before a noun to show that many people have been waiting for this thing for a long time.
Examples
- 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.