ANTICIPATE

[verb] - to imagine or expect that (something) will happen, sometimes taking action in preparation for it happeningThe police are anticipating trouble at tomorrow's football match. [T]We had one or two difficulties along the way that we couldn't have anticipated. [T]Are you anticipating a lot of people at the party tonight? [T]They anticipate having several applicants for the job. [+ verb-ing]They anticipate that they will have several applicants for the job [+ that clause]It's always better to anticipate a problem before it arises than to search for a solution afterwards. [T]He should have anticipated that this would happen and tried to prevent it. [+ that clause]At this stage we can't really anticipate what will happen. [+ wh- word]The anticipated inflation figure is lower than last month's.The army anticipated (= took action in preparation for) the explosion by evacuating the town. [T](formal) You shouldn't anticipate (= spend before you receive) your inheritance because it could be years before your parents die. [T]