future

adjective

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fu·ture | \ ˈfyü-chər

Definition of future

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : that is to be specifically : existing after death doctrine of a future life — John Kenrick

2 : of, relating to, or constituting a verb tense expressive of time yet to come

3 : existing or occurring at a later time met his future wife We cannot foretell future events.

future

noun

Definition of future (Entry 2 of 2)

1a : time that is to come

b : what is going to happen

2 : an expectation of advancement or progressive development

3 : something (such as a bulk commodity) bought for future acceptance or sold for future delivery —usually used in plural grain futures

4a : the future tense of a language

b : a verb form in the future tense

Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about future

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Synonyms & Antonyms for future

Synonyms: Adjective

coming,
unborn

Synonyms: Noun

Antonyms: Adjective

bygone,
past

Antonyms: Noun

past

Examples of future in a Sentence

Adjective We cannot predict future events. Future generations will benefit from this research. Noun We're making plans for the future. They will hire more people sometime in the future. What do you think you will be doing in the future? What does the future hold for you? It's impossible to predict the future. The company faces an uncertain future. The future was already decided for her.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Can the county get reimbursed for current and future costs? — Courtney Astolfi, cleveland, "Budish administration accused of failing to seek state reimbursements for public defender, possibly costing taxpayers $1.2 million," 5 Apr. 2021 Nevada lawmakers are considering sending mail-in ballots to all active voters in future elections after passing a law last summer that directed election officials to do so to prevent the coronavirus from spreading at polling places. — Elinor Aspegren, USA TODAY, "FDA permits changes to Moderna’s vaccine allowing for more doses in each vial; Florida clinics raise ethical concerns: Live COVID-19 updates," 2 Apr. 2021 The Georgia House and Senate passed a bill Wednesday that could prevent current or future tax commissioners in Gwinnett and Fulton counties from charging cities a special tax collection fee to double or even triple their salaries. — Tyler Wilkins, ajc, "Gwinnett officials one step closer to stopping tax commissioner from boosting salary," 1 Apr. 2021 Leaders of 23 countries and the World Health Organization on Tuesday backed an idea to create an international treaty that would help the world deal with future health emergencies like the coronavirus pandemic now ravaging the globe. — NBC News, "Amid Covid divisions, world leaders call for pandemic treaty to fight future emergencies," 30 Mar. 2021 Speakers will talk about a wide range of topics, from land management to current and future technology. — Taelor Boston | Al.com, al, "Great Smoky Mountains National Park chief ranger, Auburn alumna, giving virtual talk," 25 Mar. 2021 Here's the list of current and future locations: Ada Mobile unit managed by Ohio Northern University that will rove Northwest and West Central Ohio. — Laura Mazade, The Enquirer, "Ohio mass vaccination sites: See a list of where they will be across the state," 25 Mar. 2021 Republicans take several issues with the nearly 800-page piece of legislation, including that expanding voting rights will hurt their party in future elections. — Allison Pecorin, ABC News, "Senate Democrats move forward with voting rights bill despite Republican opposition," 24 Mar. 2021 Republicans insist that it’s Democrats who are trying to sway future elections through underhanded moves. — Todd J. Gillman, Dallas News, "Cruz decries ‘shameless power grab’ in bill to curb state voter ID laws, let felons vote after release from prison," 24 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun At the very least, Loki should build upon some of the hints that WandaVision dropped about the future of the MCU. — Jacob Siegal, BGR, "‘Loki’ is already looking like the best Marvel show on Disney+," 5 Apr. 2021 The Texas Republican is upbeat about the future of women in the Republican Party and discussed her concerns about the Equal Rights Amendment that Democrats always try to get passed with Newsmaker host Elisha Krauss. — Washington Examiner Staff, Washington Examiner, "Newsmakers with Rep. Beth Van Duyne," 5 Apr. 2021 The jury is still out about the future of the church. — Sandi Dolbee, San Diego Union-Tribune, "One year later, the big question for churches: What’s next?," 4 Apr. 2021 By Easter last year, seven members of Hartford had died and there was anxiety about the future. — Niraj Warikoo, Detroit Free Press, "After year of COVID-19, Easter Sunday offers hope for the faithful in Michigan," 4 Apr. 2021 Biden also wants to increase spending on in-home care services, reflecting greater uncertainty about the future of work than existed in FDR's day. — Star Tribune, "FDR had the Great Depression, but Biden has Big Data," 4 Apr. 2021 Tiffany Clason talks about the future of the alcohol agency — including customer service, special ordering and employee pay. — Kathy Stephenson, The Salt Lake Tribune, "Can the DABC become a 21st-century business? Here’s how Utah’s new liquor boss aims to do it.," 2 Apr. 2021 But the 156-page filing raises questions about the future of the franchise owned by the Spanos family since 1984 and reveals a family dispute that until now has played out in private. — Nathan Fenno, Los Angeles Times, "Fate of Chargers’ ownership at stake as Dean Spanos’ sister asks court to force sale," 1 Apr. 2021 The pandemic wreaked havoc on the restaurant industry nationwide, as businesses shut their doors, staff members lost their jobs and chefs were forced to make agonizing decisions about the future. — Mary Colurso | Mcolurso@al.com, al, "From BBQ pit to TV kitchen: Look for Alabama’s Roscoe Hall on ‘Top Chef’," 31 Mar. 2021

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

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Last Updated

8 Apr 2021

Cite this Entry

“Future.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/future. Accessed 13 Apr. 2021.

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More Definitions for future

future

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of future

(Entry 1 of 2)

: coming after the present time : existing in the future

—used to say what someone or something will be

future

noun

English Language Learners Definition of future (Entry 2 of 2)

: the period of time that will come after the present time

: the events that will happen after the present time

: the condition or situation of someone or something in the time that will come

See the full definition for future in the English Language Learners Dictionary

future

adjective

fu·ture | \ ˈfyü-chər

Kids Definition of future

(Entry 1 of 2)

: coming after the present future events

future

noun

Kids Definition of future (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : the period of time that is to come What will happen in the future?

2 : the chance of future success You have a bright future.

future

noun

fu·ture

Legal Definition of future

: a contract traded on an exchange in which a party agrees to buy or sell a quantity of a bulk commodity (as soybeans) at a specified future date and at a set price —usually used in pl.

Note: If the price of the commodity has gone up when the future date arrives, the buyer in the contract profits. If the price has gone down, the seller profits.

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