Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of foreknow are anticipate, divine, and foresee. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

When might anticipate be a better fit than foreknow?

In some situations, the words anticipate and foreknow are roughly equivalent. However, 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 as synonyms of foreknow?

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

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

In what contexts can foresee take the place of foreknow?

Although the words foresee and foreknow have much in common, foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foreknow
Verb
  • Many had anticipated Sand would seek the governorship, launching his bid for the seat almost exactly one month after Reynolds announced her retirement.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Treasury anticipates issuing additional guidance on what exactly will fall under this carve-out.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Intel failed to foresee the explosion of the smartphone industry in the 2010s and then the artificial intelligence revolution a decade later.
    Tiana Lowe Doescher, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The commotion has come as a surprise to Cooke, who didn’t foresee her role as such a divisive one.
    Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bregman has been a key player for the team, but FanSided's Chris Landers predicts Bregman will not be back on the Red Sox next year.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Only 1 in 5 doctors accurately predicted their patients’ out-of-pocket costs, according to a 2021 JAMA investigation.
    Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Foreknow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreknow. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

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