foresee
8 synonyms for foresee, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To know or realize something will happen before it does.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use foresee
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
foresee a problem
could not have foreseen
foresee the future
Etymology
From Old English foresēon, literally "to see beforehand" — fore- ("before") + see.
Full origin of foresee →Frequently asked questions
What does “foresee” mean?
The word “foresee” means to know or realize something will happen before it does. In plain terms, to predict or anticipate something before it actually happens.
How do you pronounce “foresee”?
“Foresee” is pronounced faw-SEE (/fɔɹˈsi/ in IPA).
How do you use “foresee” in a sentence?
Here is “foresee” used in a sentence: “Nobody could have foreseen how popular the app would become.”
What is another word for “foresee”?
Words with a similar meaning to “foresee” include anticipate, predict and think.
What part of speech is “foresee”?
“Foresee” is a verb.
Where does the word “foresee” come from?
The word “foresee” comes from Old English. From Old English foresēon, literally "to see beforehand" — fore- ("before") + see.
Is “foresee” a common word?
“Foresee” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
