anticipatory

/ænˌtɪsɪˈpeɪtəri/ (bre, ipa) · /ænˈtɪsəpətɔːri/ (ame, ipa) · /an-ˈti-sə-pə-ˌtȯr-ē/ (ame, mw)

anticipatory — adjective

  • anticipatorypositive
  • more anticipatorycomparative
  • most anticipatorysuperlative

1. done, given, or made ahead of time because you expect something to happen — for

1.形容詞B2
釋義

done, given, or made ahead of time because you expect something to happen — for example, sending in supplies before a storm arrives, or feeling nervous before a big exam because you imagine what it will be like.

例句

The city began anticipatory preparations for the storm by filling sandbags along the river.

anticipatory preparations

Priya felt a wave of anticipatory excitement as she helped the volunteer set up tables for the charity dinner.

anticipatory excitement

同義詞
  • preliminary

    focuses on early steps in a sequence, not necessarily driven by expectation

  • early

    simpler, less formal; can describe timing without implying preparation

反義詞

文法句型

anticipatory + noun

用法筆記

This is the most common sense. The adjective always appears before the noun it describes (attributive position). Typical noun partners include words for actions, feelings, or planning.

常見錯誤

❌The meeting was anticipatory for the budget talk.
✅The meeting was an anticipatory step before the budget talk.
💡'anticipatory' is an adjective and must modify a noun; it does not work as a complement with 'for'.

2. relating to an action taken by one party that shows a clear intention to break a

2.形容詞C1
釋義

relating to an action taken by one party that shows a clear intention to break a legal agreement before the time for performance arrives — for example, telling a supplier you will not pay for goods already ordered.

例句

The supplier's refusal to deliver the materials was treated as an anticipatory breach of the contract.

anticipatory breach of the contract

Yusuf's lawyer claimed that the email showed an anticipatory intention to cancel the lease.

anticipatory intention

同義詞
  • pre-emptive

    broader use in law, can describe any action taken to block a future event

  • premature

    suggests the action is too early, often to the speaker's disfavour

反義詞

文法句型

anticipatory + legal noun

用法筆記

This sense is restricted to legal and formal business contexts. The most common phrase is 'anticipatory breach' (also called 'anticipatory repudiation'). Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on a specific action showing intent to break an obligation, not general preparation.

常見錯誤

❌He made an anticipatory payment before the invoice arrived.
✅He made a pre-emptive payment before the invoice arrived.
💡'anticipatory' in the legal sense refers to breaking an agreement, not paying early.