foreknow

verb

(ˌ)fȯr-ˈnō How to pronounce foreknow (audio)
Definition of foreknownext
as in to anticipate
to realize or know about beforehand what couple can possibly foreknow the trials and tribulations that marriage will bring?

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Synonym Chooser

How is the word foreknow different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of foreknow are anticipate, divine, and foresee. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.

if only we could foreknow our own destinies

When might anticipate be a better fit than foreknow?

In some situations, the words anticipate and foreknow are roughly equivalent. However, 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 as synonyms of foreknow?

Divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.

was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war

In what contexts can foresee take the place of foreknow?

Although the words foresee and foreknow have much in common, foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.

economists should have foreseen the recession

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foreknow
  1. anticipate
  2. foresee
  3. predict
Verb
  • Although some categories of goods and services may be exempt or subject to a lower rate, the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industry anticipates its costs to rise by over $19 billion.
    — Priya Prakash Royal Esq. LL.M. MBA AEP TEP, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2025
  • Here are the highlights: The Venetian Pool, closed since October 2024, was expected to reopen by late June but is now anticipated to be ready in the fall.
    — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
Definition of anticipate
Verb
  • On Wednesday, Germany’s Cabinet approved a draft 2026 budget that foresees a second consecutive year of record government investment in priorities such as modernizing transport infrastructure, building homes, security and digitization.
    — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 30 July 2025
  • Amemiya expects short-term volatility in the yen, but foresees that the safe haven currency will appreciate over the longer-term.
    — Amala Balakrishner, CNBC, 30 July 2025
Definition of foresee
Verb
  • The study also predicts that a particularly dangerous type of turbulence, clean-air turbulence (CAT), will be more frequent in the future due to climate change.
    — Becca Longmire, People.com, 31 July 2025
  • People have been predicting the death of cinema since not too long after the birth of cinema.
    — Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 31 July 2025
Definition of predict
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.

Browse Nearby Words

foreknew
foreknow
foreknowing
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Cite this Entry

“Foreknow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreknow. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of foreknow for Spanish Speakers

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