Synonyms for anticipate

verb

1. To foresee

   expect, foresee, look foward to, predict, forecast, prophesy, prognosticate, hope for, look for, look ahead, wait for, count on, plan on, contemplate, have a hunch, bargain for, hold in view, have in prospect, assume, suppose, divine, conjecture, promise oneself, lean upon, entertain the hope, await, surmise, have a presentiment of, reckon on, envision, look into the future, intuit, feel in one's bones*, have a funny feeling*, champ at the bit*, hold one's breath*.

   Antonyms fear*, be surprised, be caught unawares.

2. To forestall

   prepare for, provide against, forestall, delay, hold back, preclude, hinder, intercept, apprehend, block, be early, precede, be one step ahead*.

   Antonyms neglect*, be caught, ignore.

3. To foretaste

   experience beforehand, have a taste of, look forward to, have an introduction to, have foreknowledge of, take a vicarious pleasure in, thrill to*, know what's coming*.

anticipate implies a looking forward to something with a foretaste of the pleasure or distress it promises, or a realizing of something in advance, and a taking of steps to meet it anticipating her visit, to anticipate trouble; expect implies a considerable degree of confidence that a particular event will happen to expect guests for dinner; hope implies a desire for something, accompanied by some confidence in the belief that it can be realized to hope for a raise; await implies a waiting for, or a being ready for, a person or thing a hearty welcome awaits you