When we consider antonyms for the word “anticipate,” we are exploring terms that convey the opposite meaning of predicting or expecting something to happen. Antonyms provide a way to understand language by presenting contrasting meanings to enhance communication.
One such antonym for anticipate can be “surprise,” which implies the unexpected nature of an event or outcome. Surprises are not foreseen or predicted, contrasting with the act of anticipating that involves preparing for or expecting a certain result.
Another antonym to consider for anticipate is “unprepared,” suggesting a lack of readiness or foresight. While anticipating involves looking ahead and planning for what’s to come, being unprepared means being caught off guard or lacking the necessary foresight to handle a situation.
35 Antonyms for ANTICIPATE With Sentences
Here’s a complete list of opposite for anticipate. Practice and let us know if you have any questions regarding ANTICIPATE antonyms.
| Antonym | Sentence with Anticipate | Sentence with Antonym |
|---|---|---|
| Surprised | The team did not anticipate the sudden change in weather during their outdoor event. | The team was surprised by the sudden change in weather during their outdoor event. |
| Unaware | She hadn’t really anticipated how challenging her new job would be. | She was completely unaware of how challenging her new job would be. |
| Neglected | The CEO anticipated that the project would be successful, so she didn’t pay attention to the warning signs of failure. | The CEO neglected the warning signs of failure because she anticipated that the project would be successful. |
| Disregarded | The company anticipates that their customers will be satisfied with the new product, so they have disregarded any negative feedback. | The company has disregarded any negative feedback because they anticipate that their customers will be satisfied with the new product. |
| Overlooked | Sarah anticipates that her colleagues will support her during the presentation, but she overlooks their lack of enthusiasm. | Sarah overlooks her colleagues’ lack of enthusiasm because she anticipates that they will support her during the presentation. |
| Ignored | The teacher anticipated that the students would finish the assignment on time, but she ignored the fact that they needed more guidance. | The teacher ignored the fact that the students needed more guidance because she anticipated that they would finish the assignment on time. |
| Unexpected | John anticipates that his parents will be proud of his decision to travel the world, but the unexpected news of his scholarship changes everything. | The unexpected news of his scholarship changes everything for John, who anticipated that his parents would be proud of his decision to travel the world. |
| Disbelieve | Despite his assurances, his friends anticipate that he will fail, and disbelieve his claim that he will succeed in his new venture. | Despite his friends’ lack of belief, he anticipates that he will succeed in his new venture, but they disbelieve his claim. |
| Unforeseen | The CEO had not anticipated the unforeseen obstacles that would arise during the merger. | The unforeseen obstacles that arose during the merger were not anticipated by the CEO. |
| Disapprove | While Jim anticipates his boss’s approval for the new strategy, he also fears her disapproval of the proposal. | Jim fears his boss’s disapproval of the proposal even though he anticipates her approval for the new strategy. |
| Surpass | Tom anticipates that his performance will surpass the expectations of his manager at the upcoming review. | Tom is confident that his performance will surpass the expectations of his manager at the upcoming review, which he anticipates with excitement. |
| Fail | Despite anticipating an easy victory, the team fails to score a single point in the championship game. | The team failed to score a single point in the championship game, which they anticipated would be an easy victory. |
| Defer | She decides to defer her vacation plans since she didn’t anticipate the sudden increase in workload. | Due to the sudden increase in workload that she didn’t anticipate, she chooses to defer her vacation plans. |
| Disappointment | Mark anticipates that his parents will be pleased with his decision, but the disappointment on their faces tells him otherwise. | Despite Mark’s anticipation of his parents’ approval, he is met with disappointment upon seeing their reactions. |
| Prevent | The new security measures aim to prevent any threats that the team couldn’t anticipate beforehand. | The team puts new security measures in place to prevent any threats that they couldn’t anticipate. |
| Detest | While she anticipates a promotion, she detests the idea of having to relocate for the job. | She detests the idea of relocating for the job, despite anticipating a promotion that might require it. |
| Reject | The author anticipates that the publisher will not reject his latest manuscript, considering the positive feedback received. | The author is confident that the publisher will not reject his latest manuscript, as he anticipates based on the positive feedback received. |
| Succumb | The superhero always anticipates victory over evil, never willing to succumb to defeat. | The superhero refuses to succumb to defeat, always anticipates victory over evil. |
| Uncertain | The board members anticipate a smooth transition in leadership, but the company’s future remains uncertain due to market changes. | While the board members anticipate a smooth transition, the company’s future is uncertain due to market changes. |
| Ignorant | She realizes that she was anticipating his approval, despite being ignorant of his disapproval all along. | Unaware of his disapproval, she erroneously believed she was anticipating his approval. |
| Disappointed | Sarah is disappointed to find out that her efforts were not anticipated or recognized by the team. | The team fails to recognize or anticipate Sarah’s efforts, leaving her feeling disappointed. |
| Unprepared | Bob was unprepared for the quiz as he had anticipated it to be held next week. | Bob anticipated the quiz to be held next week, but he was unprepared when he found out it was actually scheduled for today. |
| Unforeseeable | Martha was confronted with an unforeseeable challenge, something she did not anticipate or plan for. | The unforeseeable challenge that Martha faced was beyond what she could have anticipated or planned for. |
| Hinder | Despite the obstacles that hindered their progress, the team anticipated a successful outcome. | The team anticipated a successful outcome despite the obstacles that hindered their progress. |
| Spontaneous | The spontaneous decision to take a road trip was exciting and not something she had anticipated doing. | The road trip was a spontaneous adventure that she hadn’t anticipated, making it all the more exciting. |
| Unpredicted | The sudden change in plans was unpredicted by the team who had anticipated everything going according to schedule. | The team was taken aback by the unpredicted change in plans, having anticipated everything to go according to schedule. |
| Abandon | Anna decided to abandon the project she had anticipated working on, realizing it no longer aligns with her goals. | She abandons the project she had previously anticipated working on, finding it no longer aligning with her goals. |
| Withdraw | Despite anticipating a positive reaction, Sarah decided to withdraw her proposal after sensing disapproval from the group. | Sarah chose to withdraw her proposal despite anticipating a positive reaction, upon sensing disapproval from the group. |
| Discouraged | The team was anticipating a successful result, but constant setbacks left them feeling discouraged and doubtful. | The team felt discouraged and doubtful after constant setbacks, despite anticipating a successful result. |
Final Thoughts about Antonyms of ANTICIPATE
In conclusion, instead of predict, expect, or foresee a specific outcome, one can simply remain open-minded, flexible, and adapt to situations as they unfold. By refraining from preemptive action, one can better respond to unforeseen circumstances and keep an open eye to new possibilities. Rather than preparing for the expected, embracing spontaneity and embracing the unknown can lead to more enriching experiences and outcomes in various aspects of life.