foregone conclusion

noun

Updated on: 14 Apr 2018

Definition of foregone conclusion

1 : a conclusion that has preceded argument or examination

2 : an inevitable result : certainty

the victory was a foregone conclusion

Recent Examples of foregone conclusion from the Web

His victory had previously been considered a foregone conclusion (indeed, the party changed its rules to permit him to run for a third term).

— The Economist, "A persistent scandal ensnares Japan’s prime minister, again," 15 Mar. 2018
Because the dam's construction was a foregone conclusion, the feasibility study was limited to outcomes that reinforced government plans.

— mara hvistendahl, Science | AAAS, "A revered rocket scientist set in motion China’s mass surveillance of its citizens," 14 Mar. 2018
In his mind, the question of whether to have a notch at all is a foregone conclusion.

— vlad savov, The Verge, "The OnePlus 6 will have a notch, and here’s why," 28 Mar. 2018
With Sisi's victory a foregone conclusion, authorities concentrated on ensuring a strong turnout.

— alexandra zavis, latimes.com, "In Egypt's election, the president's victory is assured. The question is what happens next?," 24 Mar. 2018
Putin's win was a foregone conclusion, with approval ratings consistently above 80%, no serious opponent and tight control over the media.

— nathan hodge, CNN, "Will Vladimir Putin ever release his grip on Russia?," 18 Mar. 2018
Politically speaking, the vote itself was a foregone conclusion: the Senate had voted last night to break the Republican filibuster, also split 60-39, and the passage of today's bill required only a simple majority.

— Newsweek, "Amazing Photos of Bioluminescent Phytoplankton," 14 Mar. 2018
When polls casually and stably barrel toward a foregone conclusion, no one remembers.

— adam rogers, WIRED, "Maybe Election Polls Aren't Broken After All," 12 Mar. 2018
Because of its limited flying abilities, the baby bird was probably highly reliant on its parents for care and feeding, but this is not a foregone conclusion.

— brigit katz, Smithsonian, "127-Million-Year-Old Baby Bird Fossil Offers Peek Into Ancient Avian Development," 6 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'foregone conclusion.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of foregone conclusion

1604

FOREGONE CONCLUSION Defined for Kids

foregone conclusion

noun fore·gone conclusion \ ˈfȯr-ˌgȯn- \

Definition of foregone conclusion for Students

: something felt to be sure to happen

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