as in predicted
to realize or know about beforehand
a freak accident that no one could possibly have foreseen
Synonyms & Similar Words
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 foreseen
Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Jan. 2026
Trump’s actions, those foreseen and those unforeseen, are creating immense opportunities for change.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
China’s most consequential victory is something no sentient person could have possibly foreseen.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
Six weeks ago, who could have foreseen the AFC South being one of the best races out there and not including Indianapolis?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
The agency will also continue with the development of components of the Lunar Gateway, a space station foreseen to orbit the moon from 2027, and the lunar lander called Argonaut, designed to place around 3,300 lb (1,500 kilograms) of cargo on the moon's surface.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 2 Dec. 2025
But in a turn of events that no one at the distillery could have foreseen, this almost didn’t happen—on July 31, a truckload of Westland whiskey worth almost $1 million, including nearly half of the Garryana bottles, was stolen.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025
It’s been better than even the most optimistic among us could have foreseen.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Malthus may not have foreseen the developments that fueled human growth over the past two centuries.
—Roy Scranton, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Anyone who has paid attention to the issues presented by social media could have foreseen that chatbots, too, would present a problem for teens.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Adjective
There's the long foreseen Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown)-versus-Vecna face-off, coupled with a dramatic Godzilla-sized ensemble fight.
—Nick Romano, Entertainment Weekly, 1 Jan. 2026
Trump’s actions, those foreseen and those unforeseen, are creating immense opportunities for change.
—Peter D. Feaver, Foreign Affairs, 12 Nov. 2025
Verb
Mind you, the Bulldogs couldn’t have foreseen this group because Bryant transferred in from Otay Ranch at the end of his freshman season.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Jan. 2026
China’s most consequential victory is something no sentient person could have possibly foreseen.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 3 Jan. 2026
Six weeks ago, who could have foreseen the AFC South being one of the best races out there and not including Indianapolis?
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 21 Dec. 2025
The agency will also continue with the development of components of the Lunar Gateway, a space station foreseen to orbit the moon from 2027, and the lunar lander called Argonaut, designed to place around 3,300 lb (1,500 kilograms) of cargo on the moon's surface.
—Tereza Pultarova, Space.com, 2 Dec. 2025
But in a turn of events that no one at the distillery could have foreseen, this almost didn’t happen—on July 31, a truckload of Westland whiskey worth almost $1 million, including nearly half of the Garryana bottles, was stolen.
—Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Oct. 2025
It’s been better than even the most optimistic among us could have foreseen.
—Chad Graff, New York Times, 8 Oct. 2025
Malthus may not have foreseen the developments that fueled human growth over the past two centuries.
—Roy Scranton, JSTOR Daily, 18 Sep. 2025
Anyone who has paid attention to the issues presented by social media could have foreseen that chatbots, too, would present a problem for teens.
—Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 18 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foreseen
Adjective
-
The anticipated costs are around $7,200 per community.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Jan. 2026
-
With the anticipated return of BTS, after their three-year hiatus due to military service, the global superstars have shown no signs of slowing down in their popularity.—
Laura Sirikul,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Begin planting seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last expected frost in your area.—
Kerry Michaels,
The Spruce,
21 Jan. 2026
-
Instead, the double feature has been saddled with less than expected revenues, from a downtrend in consumer spending decreasing Measure A outflow, deep cuts in state and federal funds, and higher housing costs, forcing reductions in services amounting to close to a quarter million dollars a year.—
Steve Scauzillo,
Daily News,
17 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foreseen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreseen. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
