Find Antonyms
anticipation Antonyms
Opposite of anticipation
Because the opposite of anticipation shifts with each meaning, the 9 antonyms and opposite words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by contrast strength.
• noun (Context 1)
The action of expecting or looking forward to something, typically with a feeling of pleasure or excitement.
Usage Example
"The children waited in eager dread for the holiday festivities to begin."
Strong
dread
indifference
retrospection
hindsight
• noun (Context 2)
The act of foreseeing and preparing for a probable future event or requirement.
Usage Example
"The store ordered extra supplies in unpreparedness of the approaching winter storm."
Strongest
unpreparedness
Strong
surprise
improvidence
• noun (Context 3)
In music, the introduction of a note belonging to the next chord before the rest of the chord is sounded, creating a brief dissonance.
Usage Example
"The composer used a subtle melodic suspension just before the final cadence."
Strong
suspension
retardation
Similar words to anticipation
Words similar to anticipation shift depending on context. Common synonyms include:
expectation
foresight
forethought
eagerness
prediction
suspense
preparation
excitement
• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Antonyms for Anticipation. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/antonyms/anticipation