foreseeable

adjective

fore·​see·​able fȯr-ˈsē-ə-bəl How to pronounce foreseeable (audio)
1
: being such as may be reasonably anticipated
foreseeable problems
foreseeable consequences
2
: lying within the range for which forecasts are possible
in the foreseeable future
foreseeability noun

Examples of foreseeable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The timing has coincided with a shoulder injury to Kevin Huerter that is likely to keep Ellis in Sacramento’s starting lineup for the foreseeable future. Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2024 The duo’s Hello, Dolly is both highly anticipated and long awaited, having originally been slated to run at the Adelphi in 2020 before COVID-19 scuppered everyone’s plans—and pushed Staunton in the direction of screen work for the foreseeable future. Hayley Maitland, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024 Seems like that hairstyle might be sticking around for the foreseeable future. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 19 Mar. 2024 Marine Corps forces deployed aboard ships also have historically participated in such missions, but for the foreseeable future, none are expected in the region because of an ongoing shortage of available amphibious ships overseen by the Navy, U.S. officials said. Missy Ryan, Washington Post, 16 Mar. 2024 The notion the shooting was foreseeable was among the prosecution’s main arguments. Dalia Faheid, CNN, 15 Mar. 2024 With more extreme weather predicted in the coming years, the Massachusetts town will likely need those sorts of defenders for the foreseeable future. Tori Latham, Robb Report, 15 Mar. 2024 The shooting was foreseeable, especially to his father. Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 7 Mar. 2024 The predicament was largely foreseeable, given that the expiration of the federal funding Oakland Unified received during the pandemic was expected from the beginning. Shomik Mukherjee, The Mercury News, 18 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foreseeable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreseeable was in 1804

Dictionary Entries Near foreseeable

Cite this Entry

“Foreseeable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreseeable. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Legal Definition

foreseeable

adjective
fore·​see·​able fōr-ˈsē-ə-bəl How to pronounce foreseeable (audio)
: such as reasonably can or should be anticipated : such that a person of ordinary prudence would expect to occur or exist under the circumstances
a foreseeable risk
the foreseeable expenses
a foreseeable plaintiff
foreseeably adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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