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Definition of anticipatory

anticipatory

/ænˈtɪs.ə.pəˌtɔːr.i/
an · tic · i · pa · to · ry
Adverb:anticipatorily
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anticipatory Lexical Profile

anticipatory Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Characterized by, feeling, or expressing eager or anxious expectation of a future event.

Example

"An anticipatory hush fell over the concert hall just before the orchestra began to play."

2

Occurring, performed, or acting in advance to prepare for, forestall, or respond to an expected future situation.

Example

"The central bank took anticipatory measures to curb inflation before consumer prices could spiral out of control."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for anticipatory

• Nearby Words

anticipate
anticipation
anticipator
anticipatory
anticlimactic
anticlimactically
anticlimax

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the mid-17th century from Late Latin anticipatorius, derived from the Latin verb anticipare ('to take before'), from ante- ('before') and capere ('to take').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Anticipatory. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/anticipatory
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