as in watchful
having or showing signs of eagerly awaiting something
couldn't control his anticipatory excitement on Christmas morning
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of anticipatory
But research by Mark Wetherell, a professor of psychobiology and health psychology, has shown that the mere expectation of social evaluation produces anticipatory stress reactivity — meaning the body begins responding before the evaluative event even occurs.
—
Amy Cuddy, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Room counts are low, anticipatory service is high, and above all else, each is set in a remarkable location and designed in a way that highlights its surroundings.
—Jake Emen, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
One aspect of the case that Keating finds curious is the Rose Bowl’s claim of anticipatory breach given that UCLA has not played a home game anywhere else for more than four decades.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Often driven by seamless technology, deep local connection and intuitive, anticipatory service, guests feel uniquely cared for, not just served.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Amy Cuddy, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2026
Room counts are low, anticipatory service is high, and above all else, each is set in a remarkable location and designed in a way that highlights its surroundings.
—Jake Emen, Robb Report, 22 Jan. 2026
One aspect of the case that Keating finds curious is the Rose Bowl’s claim of anticipatory breach given that UCLA has not played a home game anywhere else for more than four decades.
—Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2026
Often driven by seamless technology, deep local connection and intuitive, anticipatory service, guests feel uniquely cared for, not just served.
—Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 18 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for anticipatory
Recent Examples of Synonyms for anticipatory
Adjective
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During construction, the Feins purchased the house next door and lived there, keeping a watchful eye on the work.—
Sara B. Hansen,
Denver Post,
2 May 2026
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Viktor Arvidsson, who was knocked woozy and out of the lineup on a high hit from the Sabres’ Mattias Samuelsson in Game 4, was skating under the watchful eye of skating and skills coach John McLean at Warrior Ice Arena on Friday morning.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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While sustaining the ruse for months, Ale arranged with an expectant young mother who didn’t want her child to take that woman’s newborn as her own.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
30 Apr. 2026
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The expectant dad walked beside her wearing brown pants, a white shirt and a jean jacket.—
Kayla Grant,
PEOPLE,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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After the Met announced the Bezoses’ participation, many social media users — who are the Met Gala’s most enthusiastic promoters, tuning into Vogue’s livestream and analyzing looks for days afterwards — called for a boycott.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
1 May 2026
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Most Californians are no doubt still rightly enthusiastic about protecting our coastline treasures.—
Steven Greenhut,
Oc Register,
1 May 2026
Adjective
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Trump had used the act to plaster taxes on imports with eager abandon.—
Paul Wiseman,
Chicago Tribune,
28 Apr. 2026
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Kay isn’t some kind of unhinged chaos agent or emotional thrill-seeker (well, maybe just a little), but rather an adventurous artist eager to dig deep beneath the surface.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The play is about Sarah, an anxious young woman living a double life.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
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That’s the blunt reality facing Senate Majority Leader John Thune as Republicans grow increasingly anxious about the end-game for one of the most consequential — and politically combustible — confirmation fights in recent memory.—
Phil Mattingly,
CNN Money,
22 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Anticipatory.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/anticipatory. Accessed 3 May. 2026.
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