foresee

[ fawr-see ]

verb (used with object)

, fore·saw, fore·seen, fore·see·ing.

1. to have prescience of; to know in advance; foreknow.

   Synonyms: discern, divine

2. to see beforehand.

verb (used without object)

, fore·saw, fore·seen, fore·see·ing.

1. to exercise foresight.

foresee

/ fɔːˈsiː /

verb

1. tr; may take a clause as object to see or know beforehand

   he did not foresee that

Derived Forms

• foreˈseer, noun
• foreˈseeable, adjective

Other Words From

• fore·see·a·ble adjective
• fore·se·er noun
• un·fore·see·ing adjective
• un·fore·seen adjective
• well-fore·seen adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of foresee¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English foresēon. See fore-, see ¹

Synonym Study

See predict.

Example Sentences

There is no way to foresee a future that still hides in turmoil.

From The Daily Beast

What he could not foresee was that a half century later Freedom Summer would not be ancient history.

From The Daily Beast

“At present, few scientists foresee any serious or practical use for atomic energy,” an article read.

From The Daily Beast

Other lodging options that remain open outside the closed parks foresee a harder hit.

From The Daily Beast

Our brains can foresee that if we let natural selection take its course then it could be disastrous in the long run.

From The Daily Beast

But no one in Spain and few in Manila as yet could foresee how the fulfilment of the Agreement would be bungled.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was less easy to foresee that William would be the chief and indeed almost the only object of their indignation.

From Project Gutenberg

Am I suddenly to obtain some post, and do people know it, or foresee it, because they forestall me and bow to me first?

From Project Gutenberg

Max Bray arranged all future matters to his entire satisfaction, but again there were contingencies that he could not foresee.

From Project Gutenberg

I could foresee a catastrophe which would for ever unsettle the two towns, and give the valley an unenviable reputation.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• discern
• envisage
• expect
• forecast
• foretell
• perceive
• presage