foreseeable

adjective

fore·​see·​able fȯr-ˈsē-ə-bəl How to pronounce foreseeable (audio)
1
: being such as may be reasonably anticipated
foreseeable problems
foreseeable consequences
2
: lying within the range for which forecasts are possible
in the foreseeable future
foreseeability noun

Examples of foreseeable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Berlin will be the only Iranian consulate available to the German public for the foreseeable future. Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Nov. 2024 That means that, for the foreseeable future, Niccol will be flying to and from the company’s HQ, likely on a Starbucks private jet, in a trip that spans over 1,000 miles up the Pacific coast. Chris Morris, Fortune, 5 Nov. 2024 Big Brother can stuff those elf costumes into storage for the foreseeable future. Rebecca Iannucci, TVLine, 4 Nov. 2024 For now, and for the foreseeable future, this is what Trumpism after Trump looks like. Andrew Marantz, The New Yorker, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for foreseeable 

Word History

First Known Use

1804, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreseeable was in 1804

Dictionary Entries Near foreseeable

Cite this Entry

“Foreseeable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreseeable. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

Legal Definition

foreseeable

adjective
fore·​see·​able fōr-ˈsē-ə-bəl How to pronounce foreseeable (audio)
: such as reasonably can or should be anticipated : such that a person of ordinary prudence would expect to occur or exist under the circumstances
a foreseeable risk
the foreseeable expenses
a foreseeable plaintiff
foreseeably adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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