Definition of: anticipate

(an·tis′ə·pāt) v.t. ·pat·ed, ·pat·ing
1. To experience or realize beforehand; expect; foresee: to anticipate a successful season.
2. To act or arrive sooner than.
3. To act or arrive sooner than so as to prevent; forestall: to anticipate an opponent's tactics.
4. To foresee and fulfil beforehand, as expectations.
5. To take or make use of beforehand, as income not yet available.
6. To discharge, as a debt or liability before it is due.
7. To cause to happen earlier; accelerate. [<L anticipatus, pp. of anticipare < ante- before + capere take]
—an·tic′i·pa′tor noun Synonyms: abide, apprehend, expect, forecast, foretaste, hope. We expect that which we have good reason to believe will happen. We hope for that which we much desire and somewhat expect. We apprehend what we both expect and fear. Anticipate is commonly used now, like foretaste, of that which we expect both with confidence and pleasure. In this use it is a stronger word than hope; I hope for a visit from my friend; I expect it when he writes that he is coming; and as the time draws near I anticipate it with pleasure. Compare ABIDE, PREVENT. Antonyms: distrust, doubt, dread, fear, recall, recollect, remember.