anticipatory
adjective
an·tic·i·pa·to·ry
an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē 
: characterized by anticipation : anticipating
took anticipatory measures to prevent floods
Examples of anticipatory in a Sentence
couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning
Recent Examples on the Web
The path forward requires proactive, anticipatory leadership: securing AI systems, embedding oversight and establishing governance structures now, not waiting for compliance mandates to dictate the response.
—
Metin Kortak, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
While it could be argued that there’s no bad place to stay in such a dreamy locale, World’s Best Awards voters would be the first to point out that certain touches—like anticipatory service and an expansive slate of programming—can take a visit to this region from wonderful to wow-worthy.
—Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
Her long, spindly body operates in an anticipatory arch, her body gliding across the pitch in long, laboured strides until igniting into a blur, a combination of ferocity and grace.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Fear around the upcoming adjustment, anticipatory anxiety, and positive emotions such as excitement can also trigger them to act out.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
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Metin Kortak, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
While it could be argued that there’s no bad place to stay in such a dreamy locale, World’s Best Awards voters would be the first to point out that certain touches—like anticipatory service and an expansive slate of programming—can take a visit to this region from wonderful to wow-worthy.
—Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025
Her long, spindly body operates in an anticipatory arch, her body gliding across the pitch in long, laboured strides until igniting into a blur, a combination of ferocity and grace.
—Megan Feringa, New York Times, 6 July 2025
Fear around the upcoming adjustment, anticipatory anxiety, and positive emotions such as excitement can also trigger them to act out.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 24 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anticipatory. Accessed 20 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLegal Definition
anticipatory
adjective
an·tic·i·pa·tory
an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtōr-ē
: of or relating to a prior action that takes into account or forestalls a later action
an anticipatory challenge brought for declaratory and injunctive relief—L. H. Tribe
L. H. Tribe
anticipatorily
adverb
-ˌti-sə-pə-ˈtōr-ə-lē
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