Here are some synonyms for "looking forward" and their explanations:
1. Anticipating
- Explanation: "Anticipating" means to look forward to something with expectation or prediction. It implies a sense of eagerness and often involves thinking about and preparing for a future event. For example, "She was anticipating the arrival of her favorite author's new book." This shows that she was actively thinking about and eagerly waiting for the book to come out, much like when you're "looking forward" to something. It has a more anticipatory and sometimes a bit more formal tone than the more common "looking forward."
2. Eagerly awaiting
- Explanation: "Eagerly awaiting" emphasizes the enthusiasm and impatience in waiting for something. The word "eagerly" shows a strong desire and the word "awaiting" means waiting. For example, "The children were eagerly awaiting Christmas morning." It's a more vivid way of expressing the idea of looking forward, highlighting the excitement and the sense of longing for a particular event or moment to arrive.
3. Expecting with enthusiasm
- Explanation: This phrase combines the idea of having an expectation and a positive emotion of enthusiasm. It means that you have a belief that something will happen and you're happy about it. For example, "He was expecting with enthusiasm the start of his new job." It's similar to "looking forward" as it shows a positive attitude towards a future event and a sense of anticipation.
4. Counting down to
- Explanation: "Counting down to" implies a more specific and time - oriented form of looking forward. It means you're keeping track of the time remaining until a particular event. For example, "They were counting down to the New Year's Eve party." It shows a sense of excitement as the time gets closer and is a more active way of expressing the anticipation, similar to the idea of looking forward to an event that's approaching.
5. Longing for
- Explanation: "Longing for" means to have a strong, often emotional desire for something to happen. It's a more intense form of anticipation. For example, "After a long separation, she was longing for the moment she could see her family again." While "looking forward" can be a more casual expression of anticipation, "longing for" has a deeper emotional connection and a stronger sense of yearning for the future event.