anticipation

noun

(ˌ)an-ˌti-sə-ˈpā-shən How to pronounce anticipation (audio)
Definition of anticipationnext
as in expectation
the act or state of looking forward to some occurrence in anticipation of a job offer, she had already begun looking for an apartment in the city where the company was based

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How does the noun anticipation differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of anticipation are foretaste, outlook, and prospect. While all these words mean "an advance realization of something to come," anticipation implies a prospect or outlook that involves advance suffering or enjoyment of what is foreseen.

the anticipation of her arrival

When is it sensible to use foretaste instead of anticipation?

While the synonyms foretaste and anticipation are close in meaning, foretaste implies an actual though brief or partial experience of something forthcoming.

the frost was a foretaste of winter

In what contexts can outlook take the place of anticipation?

In some situations, the words outlook and anticipation are roughly equivalent. However, outlook suggests a forecasting of the future.

a favorable outlook for the economy

When could prospect be used to replace anticipation?

Although the words prospect and anticipation have much in common, prospect implies expectation of a particular event, condition, or development of definite interest or concern.

the prospect of a quiet weekend

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of anticipation Her jaws are tightly shut, in anticipation, ready to be thrown open at any second. — Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026 But the wait and anticipation do appear to have done wonders for pre-sales. — Alex Ritman, Variety, 23 Oct. 2026 With just two weeks until the 2026 midterm elections, anticipation and anxiety will only accelerate as social media is rife with the latest polls, early vote data and plenty of rumor. — Ted Johnson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026 That anticipation better be excitement about finally getting your hands on the new map, not fear that your gaming rig won’t keep up with the frame rates. — Kelsey Fogarty, PC Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for anticipation
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipation
  1. expectation
  2. expectancy
  3. expectance
Noun
  • Procter & Gamble, Lockheed Martin and CSX were among the latest companies to join the list of those topping profit expectations for the summer, and gains for their stocks helped limit the market's losses Thursday.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Communications leaders can help organisations anticipate the expectations those decisions will need to meet, bringing an understanding of customer concerns and public trust into the discussion before commitments are made.
    — Margot Edelman, Fortune, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of expectation
Noun
  • And there’s this sort of strange, ghostly expectancy, which is quite weird, a mixture of apprehension and fear.
    — Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • When a call is overturned, Baseball Savant measures the difference in run expectancy between the situation before the pitch/challenge and the situation after the call is flipped.
    — Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of expectancy
Noun
  • Giannina Altuve posted video of the family celebrating the expectance of their second child on Sunday afternoon.
    — Houston Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, 11 Nov. 2019
Definition of expectance

Browse Nearby Words

anticipating
anticipation
anticipations
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Cite this Entry

“Anticipation.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipation. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on anticipation

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anticipation

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