Synonyms of foresee

foresee

verb

fȯr-ˈsē 

as in to anticipate

to realize or know about beforehand

a freak accident that no one could possibly have foreseen

Synonyms & Similar Words

• anticipate
• predict
• divine
• fear
• envision
• foreknow
• foretell
• envisage
• prevision
• presage
• forecast
• visualize
• perceive
• prognosticate
• foreshadow
• prophesy
• forefeel
• prefigure
• dread
• forewarn
• augur
• alert
• caution
• discern
• preview
• apprehend
• foretoken
• descry

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

Recent Examples of foresee

That’s the grim reality that state and regional transportation planners foresee by the time the Valley has surpassed 1 million residents in 2050. —Rose Evans, Idaho Statesman, 3 Oct. 2025

Young adults with disabilities have much to offer that could not have been foreseen in advance. —U T Readers, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 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