Anticipate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when thinking about something in the future with excitement or anxiety, often implying some level of preparation.

• They anticipate a lot of new challenges in the upcoming project.
• She couldn't anticipate how difficult the task would be.

Commonly used in everyday scenarios when you believe something will happen, often based on information or a general sense of likelihood.

• I expect the package to arrive tomorrow.
• We didn't expect such a large turnout at the event.

Implies a higher level of certainty and a slightly formal tone, often used when predicting something based on current evidence or patterns.

• He can foresee a lot of opportunities for growth in the market.
• They didn't foresee the consequences of their actions.

Used when making a specific statement about the future based on data or certain trends, often seen in scientific or analytical contexts.

• The weather forecast predicts rain for tomorrow.
• Economists predict a recession next year.

Mostly used in a mystic or literary context, often related to predicting the future through supernatural means.

• The ancient oracle foretold the king's downfall.
• No one can foretell the future with absolute certainty.

Used when you are waiting for something to happen and are excited or prepared for it.

• The audience eagerly anticipated the concert
• We anticipate a good turnout at the event

Used when you believe something will happen, often with confidence or based on certain information.

• I expect she will arrive on time
• We expect the weather to improve tomorrow

Used when you can imagine or predict that something will happen, often based on information or patterns.

• He could foresee the challenges they would face
• It’s hard to foresee any major changes in the next year

Used when making a logical guess about the future based on data or evidence, common in scientific or analytical contexts.

• Scientists predict an increase in global temperatures
• Economists predict a steady growth in the economy

Used when predicting something in a mystical or supernatural way, often found in literature or when discussing prophecies.

• The oracle foretold the coming of a great king
• Legends foretell that a hero will save the kingdom

Use when you are expecting something to happen and often preparing for it. Common in everyday conversation and formal writing.

• She anticipated the meeting by preparing all the necessary documents
• We anticipated a lot of traffic, so we left early

Use when you are making a specific statement about what will happen in the future, often based on data, trends, or intuition. Common in scientific, statistical, and everyday contexts.

• Scientists can predict earthquakes by studying geological data
• She predicted that the team would win the championship

Use in literature or storytelling to hint at events that will happen later in the plot. It adds depth to the narrative and builds suspense.

• The dark clouds foreshadowed a storm that would change everyone's lives
• The eerie music in the film foreshadowed the upcoming confrontation

Use in formal writing or speech to indicate that something is a sign or warning of a future event, often with a somewhat ominous or serious tone.

• The sudden drop in temperature presaged an unusually harsh winter
• The strange behavior of the animals presaged the coming earthquake

Use in more formal or academic contexts to indicate that something serves as an early indicator or example of something that will happen later.

• The artist's early works prefigure his later masterpieces
• These social changes prefigured the political revolution