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
  • The company anticipates cleanup efforts to wrap up at the end of August, but the target may be adjusted as needed to ensure safety.
    Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2025
  • Over the past two years, multinational enterprises have been anticipating the need for strategic rebalancing of production locations, with Southeast Asia, Eastern Europe and Central America the main beneficiaries, according to the report.
    Courtney Fingar, Forbes.com, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • Many business leaders and others remain rattled because most people did not foresee the massive tariffs that Trump rolled out earlier this year.
    Susan Tompor, Freep.com, 3 July 2025
  • What the optimists did not foresee was that power could eventually shift back.
    SARAH BUSH, Foreign Affairs, 3 July 2025
Verb
  • Washington Examiner Senior Writer Joe Concha predicted Tesla CEO Elon Musk would not elect even one representative to Congress via his new political party.
    Jenny Goldsberry, The Washington Examiner, 7 July 2025
  • Other state public health laws, regulations, and services protect people who are suicidal from caregivers, medical professionals, and family members who might encourage self-harm, but suspends these protections if a doctor predicts the person has less than six months to live.
    Krista Kafer, Denver Post, 7 July 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 14 Jul. 2025.

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