Anticipatory: meaning, definitions and examples

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anticipatory

 

[ænˈtɪsɪpətɔːri ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

in psychology

Relating to the act of expecting or predicting a future event or outcome before it occurs.

Synonyms

expectant, foreseeing, predictive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
anticipatory

Used when someone is eagerly waiting or preparing for something that is about to happen. Often relates to emotional or psychological states.

  • She had an anticipatory excitement before her birthday party
  • The team was in an anticipatory mood just minutes before the big game
predictive

Used to describe something that indicates or can forecast future events. Often used in scientific, technological, or analytical contexts.

  • The predictive model showed an increase in sales for the next quarter
  • Predictive analytics have become crucial in business decision-making
expectant

Used to describe someone who is looking forward to something with anticipation and is based on a reasonable expectation. Often used in medical contexts or for overall positive anticipation.

  • The expectant parents were thrilled to see the ultrasound
  • There was an expectant crowd waiting for the speaker to arrive
foreseeing

Used when someone can predict or anticipate future events based on evidence or intuition. Often implies a level of insight or ability to predict outcomes.

  • She had a foreseeing understanding of how the market would change
  • Foreseeing the challenges ahead, the manager decided to implement new strategies

Examples of usage

  • His anticipatory anxiety before the exam made it difficult for him to concentrate.
  • The anticipatory excitement of waiting for Christmas morning.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'anticipare', which means 'to take before'.
  • In Latin, 'anti-' means 'before' and 'capere' means 'to seize', highlighting the act of foreseeing events.
  • It entered the English language in the 17th century, indicating an evolving understanding of foresight.

Psychology

  • Anticipatory feelings can influence decision-making by preparing individuals for future outcomes.
  • Research shows that people who practice anticipatory thinking tend to be better at problem-solving.
  • The anticipation of future events can trigger both excitement and anxiety, showing the emotional weight of expectations.

Education

  • In teaching, anticipatory sets help engage students by presenting questions or scenarios related to upcoming lessons.
  • Effective anticipatory strategies can enhance learning outcomes by preparing students’ minds for new information.
  • Educators often use anticipatory techniques to help students draw connections between prior knowledge and new material.

Pop Culture

  • Many films use anticipatory suspense to keep audiences engaged, making them eager to see what happens next.
  • TV shows commonly employ cliffhangers at season ends to build anticipation for the next season's return.
  • In literature, authors often use foreshadowing to create an anticipatory atmosphere, hinting at future plot twists.

Business

  • In strategic planning, companies frequently rely on anticipatory insights to predict market trends and consumer behavior.
  • Anticipatory leadership is a key skill for executives, helping them foresee and adapt to changes in their industries.
  • Foresight and anticipation can provide businesses with a competitive edge by innovating ahead of market demands.

Translations

Translations of the word "anticipatory" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antecipatório

🇮🇳 पूर्वानुमानित

🇩🇪 vorausahnend

🇮🇩 antisipatif

🇺🇦 передбачувальний

🇵🇱 przewidujący

🇯🇵 予測的な (よそくてきな)

🇫🇷 anticipatif

🇪🇸 anticipatorio

🇹🇷 önceden tahmin eden

🇰🇷 예측의 (예측적인)

🇸🇦 توقعي

🇨🇿 anticipační

🇸🇰 anticipačný

🇨🇳 预期的 (yùqī de)

🇸🇮 anticipativen

🇮🇸 fyrirbyggjandi

🇰🇿 алдын ала болжау

🇬🇪 წინასწარმეტყველური

🇦🇿 öncədən təxmin edilən

🇲🇽 anticipatorio

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,447, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.