as in anticipated
to realize or know about beforehand
a freak accident that no one could possibly have foreseen
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Recent Examples of foresaw
This can lead to surprise winners — nobody foresaw Uno-X’s Søren Wærenskjold taking victory last season.
—
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The important thing is that the ancient Circassians and Turks clearly foresaw Trump!
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Giorgini, who owned a buying office in Florence, foresaw the future of Italian fashion in the aftermath of World War II, at the same time the couture business in Paris was regaining its splendor.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026
Those with clout in various spheres coalesced into one clubby circle, and fell prey to a groupthink that foresaw riches for everyone, without consequences.
—Evan Hughes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
As for the rest of our readers’ predictions, 20% foresaw the grand prize going to freestyler Chris Turner, while 14% threw their support behind Jourdan Blue‘s velvety voice and even velvetier hair.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Our own Founding Fathers foresaw this danger.
—Carolyn McKinney, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Nobody outside of the player’s inner circle foresaw this outcome.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The important thing is that the ancient Circassians and Turks clearly foresaw Trump!
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Giorgini, who owned a buying office in Florence, foresaw the future of Italian fashion in the aftermath of World War II, at the same time the couture business in Paris was regaining its splendor.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026
Those with clout in various spheres coalesced into one clubby circle, and fell prey to a groupthink that foresaw riches for everyone, without consequences.
—Evan Hughes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
As for the rest of our readers’ predictions, 20% foresaw the grand prize going to freestyler Chris Turner, while 14% threw their support behind Jourdan Blue‘s velvety voice and even velvetier hair.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Our own Founding Fathers foresaw this danger.
—Carolyn McKinney, Boston Herald, 22 Sep. 2025
Nobody outside of the player’s inner circle foresaw this outcome.
—Harry De Cosemo, Forbes.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foresaw
Verb
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The funding was intended to offset concerns about the outsize fallout anticipated in rural communities from the law, which is expected to slash Medicaid spending by nearly $1 trillion over a decade.—
Arielle Zionts,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
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The company is making are higher than previously anticipated, with original targets shooting for a staff reduction range of 1,000 to 1,500 full-time employees.—
Glenn Taylor,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Extended highway drive tests covering hundreds of miles showed the firm’s simulation models predicted real-world energy use within a few percent.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
4 Mar. 2026
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Local politics observers predicted Drayton could tighten that gap and present Leake’s biggest obstacle yet.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foresaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foresaw. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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