forward-looking

adjective

ˈfȯr-wərd-ˌlu̇-kiŋ How to pronounce forward-looking (audio)
Definition of forward-lookingnext
as in cautious
having or showing awareness of and preparation for the future a forward-looking business plan designed to take full advantage of emerging technologies

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 forward-looking The reforms also require companies to disclose forward-looking statements, forecasts and financial performance indicators covering at least the following year, which should help create more sustainable demand after listing. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 30 Sep. 2026 The forward-looking read is that fasting will earn a legitimate but narrow place in cardiometabolic care, under supervision, with bloodwork, for the right patients. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 Sep. 2026 Lionel Messi This is where the list becomes more oriented in the past than forward-looking. — Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 18 Sep. 2026 That's because stocks this year have been boosted by strong earnings and forward-looking forecasts. — Paulina Likos, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forward-looking
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forward-looking
  1. cautious
  2. careful
  3. proactive
  4. prescient
  5. farsighted
  6. visionary
Adjective
  • The actors Nael Nacer and Artemis Pebdani double as Haddad’s great-aunt and -uncle and parents, playing across a spectrum of discomfort and cautious support.
    — Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Feigenbaum offered a more cautious interpretation, describing some of the violent perpetrators as fringe provocateurs who exploit broader demonstrations without necessarily directing them.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of cautious
Adjective
  • Democratic congressional candidates will also need to be careful about balancing partisan messages to their base with more measured appeals to independent voters.
    — Julio Borquez, The Conversation, 8 Oct. 2026
  • But perhaps the biggest challenge of all was being extremely careful not to pass moral judgment on the story or any of the characters being portrayed.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of careful
Adjective
  • Steenbergen described a future in which AI makes travel planning more seamless, personalized, and proactive.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Losing proactive protection The reinterpretations of the Endangered Species Act change the law from one that is proactive to one that takes action only after there has been immediate and intentional physical harm.
    — Timothy Randhir, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of proactive
Adjective
  • Some Americans saw things differently, and their prescient warnings form the backbone of Hitchcock’s body politic.
    — Beverly Gage, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Alas, Kissinger may have been uncannily prescient about technology and its impact on global power, but his prescriptions on how to avert AI disaster haven’t aged well.
    — Andy Browne, semafor.com, 15 Sep. 2026
Definition of prescient
Adjective
  • Some farsighted experts have warned that AI could devastate the job market and widen the divisions that mark today’s politics and society.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Private markets chronically undersave, leaving future generations with less capital than a farsighted society would choose to bequeath.
    — James Broughel, Forbes.com, 4 July 2026
Definition of farsighted
Adjective
  • Alexander was a visionary professor of architecture at Berkeley.
    — The Week US, TheWeek, 5 Oct. 2026
  • South Beach socialite, arts and gay rights activist, businesswoman, volunteer and visionary Merle Rosenbaum Weiss was the Dolly Parton of the local Miami community.
    — Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of visionary

Browse Nearby Words

forwarding
forward-looking
forwardness
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forward-looking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forward-looking. Accessed 13 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of abscond

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All