General synonyms:
* Expectation
* Hope
* Looking forward to
* Excitement
* Eagerness
* Foreboding (for negative anticipation)
* Dread (for negative anticipation)
More specific synonyms:
* Premonition (for a strong feeling of something about to happen)
* Foresight (for anticipation based on knowledge or experience)
* Apprehension (for anxiety or fear about something to come)
* Awaiting (for actively waiting for something)
* Expectation (for a belief that something will happen)
The best synonym for "anticipation" will depend on the specific context in which you are using the word. For example, if you are talking about the excitement of a child waiting for Christmas, "eagerness" or "excitement" would be good synonyms. But if you are talking about the anxiety of a person waiting for a medical diagnosis, "apprehension" or "foreboding" might be more appropriate.