foresee

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of foresee are anticipate, divine, and foreknow. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

When could anticipate be used to replace foresee?

Although the words anticipate and foresee have much in common, 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?

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

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

When is it sensible to use foreknow instead of foresee?

The synonyms foreknow and foresee are sometimes interchangeable, but foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of foresee Wind gusts of up to 55 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are foreseen. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2025 The alert is in effect until 4 p.m. Wind gusts of up to 40 mph and pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) are foreseen. Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 3 June 2025 But these were either not available or not deployed quickly enough at the air bases targeted by Ukraine on Sunday – most likely because Russia simply didn’t foresee this type of attack. Benjamin Brown, CNN Money, 3 June 2025 Wind gusts of up to 60 mph and penny-sized hail (0.75 inches) are foreseen. Kansas City Star Weather Bot, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for foresee
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foresee
anticipate
Verb
  • The National Retail Federation also anticipated skyrocketing prices on clothing, household appliances, furniture and more.
    Dryden Pence, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • Organizers anticipate that the immigration enforcement and Trump's response to largely peaceful protests by bringing in the military is a pivot point that will bring new people to the streets June 14.
    Sarah D. Wire, USA Today, 13 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Foresee.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foresee. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on foresee

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