foresee

Synonym Chooser

How is the word foresee different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of foresee are anticipate, divine, and foreknow. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

When could anticipate be used to replace foresee?

Although the words anticipate and foresee have much in common, anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens.

the waiter anticipated our every need

How are the words divine and foresee related?

Divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.

was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

When is it sensible to use foreknow instead of foresee?

The synonyms foreknow and foresee are sometimes interchangeable, but foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of foresee Experts and insiders both foresee a massive multiplier effect in knowledge work as AI keeps adding new abilities. Scott Rosenberg, Axios, 24 Oct. 2024 The industry slowed during the summer, and some issues were foreseen, while others were not. Jennifer Weil, WWD, 22 Oct. 2024 Few people foresaw the collapse of the housing market and the subsequent global economic meltdown. Gianluca Sidoti, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s budget for 2025 foresees a deficit of below 4%, saying that will ensure that Israel’s debt burden remains stable. David McHugh, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for foresee 

Thesaurus Entries Near foresee

Cite this Entry

“Foresee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foresee. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on foresee

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