Anticipating Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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anticipating

[ænˈtɪs.ɪ.peɪt ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Verb

feeling

To feel confident that something will happen in the future. To expect or look ahead to something with pleasure.

Synonyms

await, expect, foresee.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
anticipating

Use this word when you are looking forward to something happening with excitement or eagerness.

  • She was anticipating her birthday party with joy
  • The team is anticipating the big game
expect

Use this word when you think something is likely to happen, based on previous knowledge or evidence.

  • I expect him to arrive by noon
  • She didn't expect such a warm welcome
await

This word fits when you are waiting for something or someone, usually with a formal or serious tone.

  • The guests await the arrival of the bride
  • We eagerly await the results of the tests
foresee

This word is appropriate when you predict or see ahead that something will happen, often using evidence or intuition.

  • The economist could foresee a recession
  • She couldn't foresee the challenges ahead

Examples of usage

  • I'm anticipating a great vacation next week.
  • She was anticipating his arrival with excitement.
  • We are anticipating a positive response to our proposal.
Context #2 | Verb

action

To think about or plan for something that is going to happen or be needed in the future.

Synonyms

expect, foresee, prepare for.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
anticipating

Used when someone is looking forward to something happening with excitement or eagerness.

  • She was anticipating her friend's arrival with great joy
  • The kids are anticipating the start of summer vacation
expect

Used when someone believes that something will happen or will be the case.

  • I expect it will rain tomorrow
  • They expect their guests to arrive by 7 PM
foresee

Used when predicting or envisioning something happening in the future, often based on analysis or understanding.

  • She can foresee many challenges ahead in her career
  • Economists foresee a rise in inflation next year
prepare for

Used when getting ready for a future event or situation, often one that could be difficult or demanding.

  • They are preparing for the upcoming exam
  • The town is preparing for the hurricane by boarding up windows

Examples of usage

  • She was eagerly anticipating her graduation day.
  • He spent the evening anticipating the meeting with his boss.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

  • Anticipation can create excitement and joy in individuals, often related to upcoming positive events.
  • Studies show that expecting something good can boost happiness even before it happens, as people enjoy the thrill of looking forward to it.
  • Different levels of anticipation can impact decision-making; higher anticipation can lead to more careful planning.

Literature

  • Authors often use anticipation as a tool to build suspense in stories, keeping readers engaged.
  • In poetry, the feeling of anticipating is expressed beautifully to convey longing or excitement, adding depth to the imagery.
  • Foreshadowing is a common technique in novels where hints are dropped to create anticipation about future events.

Pop Culture

  • Movie trailers are designed to create anticipation, making viewers eager to see the film when it releases.
  • Fans often anticipate the release of new music from their favorite artists, creating buzz and excitement on social media.
  • Events like Comic-Con are built around the anticipation of new announcements about movies, games, and shows.

Education

  • Teachers often encourage students to anticipate the next lesson by introducing intriguing questions or challenges.
  • Classroom activities can include guessing upcoming topics, developing anticipation for learning and engagement.
  • Anticipating questions before a test can help students reinforce their knowledge and prepare effectively.

Daily Life

  • People often anticipate vacations, mapping out fun activities to enjoy when they arrive at their destination.
  • Anticipation plays a key role in planning significant life events, like weddings or holidays, where excitement builds over time.
  • Children often anticipate summer break, counting the days until school ends as they dream of fun adventures.

Origin of 'anticipating'

The word 'anticipate' comes from the Latin word 'anticipatus', which means 'to take before, to foresee'. The concept of anticipating events has been present in human behavior throughout history, as individuals have always tried to predict and plan for future occurrences. Anticipation is a key aspect of human cognition and plays a crucial role in decision-making and preparedness.


See also: anticipatable, anticipate, anticipated, anticipatingly, anticipation, anticipatory, unanticipated.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #12,474, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.