farsighted

adjective

far·​sight·​ed ˈfär-ˌsī-təd 

1

a

: seeing or able to see to a great distance

Intuition is sometimes symbolized as an eagle, a farsighted bird which can see a very long distance from a very great height.

—Frances E. Vaughan

b

: having or showing foresight or good judgment : sagacious

a farsighted leader

a farsighted plan/policy/decision

Farsighted planners hope to use the memory of the flood to open up the river …

—Nicholas Helburn

2

: able to see distant things better than near ones : affected with farsightedness

farsighted eyes/vision

… offers free screenings and private consultations … for nearsighted and farsighted people who want to find out if they are good candidates for Laser Vision Correction.

—Sue Petty

farsightedly adverb

… assuring that our pension obligations are fully funded in a long-term effort that was farsightedly proposed … some years ago …

—Stephen Hudspeth

Synonyms

• cautious
• careful
• foresighted
• prescient
• proactive
• visionary
• forward-looking

Examples of farsighted in a Sentence

plans made by farsighted city leaders

farsighted conservationists long ago realized that wilderness areas of breathtaking beauty needed to be protected from future development

Recent Examples on the Web

No matter what compromises Lucas and our farsighted mayor at the time, Rahm Emanuel, offered, there was no compromise from this group. —Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025

Eastwood’s farsighted plan also involved advancing his acting career. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 23 July 2025

The most farsighted companies understand that downturns are not permanent. —Rhea Wessel, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025

Brazil’s post-dictatorship experience also suggests that democratic threats can be effectively managed with farsighted political reforms intended to protect democracy. —Omar G. Encarnación, Foreign Affairs, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for farsighted

• affrighted
• alighted
• benighted
• delighted
• excited
• highlighted
• ignited
• incited
• indicted
• invited
• nearsighted
• recited

Kids Definition

farsighted

adjective

far·​sight·​ed ˈfär-ˈsīt-əd 

1

: having foresight

2

: able to see distant things more clearly than near ones

farsightedly adverb

Medical Definition

farsighted

adjective

far·​sight·​ed ˈfär-ˈsīt-əd 

1

: seeing or able to see to a great distance

2

: affected with hyperopia

farsightedly adverb