as in anticipated
to realize or know about beforehand
a freak accident that no one could possibly have foreseen
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Recent Examples of foresaw
He's even designed to take a fall without sustaining serious damage, so Imagineers foresaw the inevitable when releasing an animatronic out into the busy park environment.
—
Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
In 1685, Giovanni Borelli, the Italian physicist, foresaw a world where machines driven by pulleys could ape the actions of animals.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
Both generally have a good feel for that, though Kiper and Jeremiah and everyone else never foresaw Shadeur Sanders slipping to the fifth round in last year’s draft.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
This can lead to surprise winners — nobody foresaw Uno-X’s Søren Wærenskjold taking victory last season.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The important thing is that the ancient Circassians and Turks clearly foresaw Trump!
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Giorgini, who owned a buying office in Florence, foresaw the future of Italian fashion in the aftermath of World War II, at the same time the couture business in Paris was regaining its splendor.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026
Those with clout in various spheres coalesced into one clubby circle, and fell prey to a groupthink that foresaw riches for everyone, without consequences.
—Evan Hughes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
As for the rest of our readers’ predictions, 20% foresaw the grand prize going to freestyler Chris Turner, while 14% threw their support behind Jourdan Blue‘s velvety voice and even velvetier hair.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 31 Mar. 2026
In 1685, Giovanni Borelli, the Italian physicist, foresaw a world where machines driven by pulleys could ape the actions of animals.
—Kamal Ahmed, Fortune, 12 Mar. 2026
Both generally have a good feel for that, though Kiper and Jeremiah and everyone else never foresaw Shadeur Sanders slipping to the fifth round in last year’s draft.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
This can lead to surprise winners — nobody foresaw Uno-X’s Søren Wærenskjold taking victory last season.
—Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2026
The important thing is that the ancient Circassians and Turks clearly foresaw Trump!
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 26 Feb. 2026
Giorgini, who owned a buying office in Florence, foresaw the future of Italian fashion in the aftermath of World War II, at the same time the couture business in Paris was regaining its splendor.
—Tonya Blazio-Licorish, Footwear News, 24 Feb. 2026
Those with clout in various spheres coalesced into one clubby circle, and fell prey to a groupthink that foresaw riches for everyone, without consequences.
—Evan Hughes, The Atlantic, 20 Oct. 2025
As for the rest of our readers’ predictions, 20% foresaw the grand prize going to freestyler Chris Turner, while 14% threw their support behind Jourdan Blue‘s velvety voice and even velvetier hair.
—Andy Swift, TVLine, 24 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foresaw
Verb
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Congress anticipated those rising costs and debated extending the enhanced premium tax credits toward the end of last year.—
Max Klaver,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
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Easter eggs leading to the announcement Swifties anticipated a music video would be coming sometime after the March 8 post by Taylor Nation, Swift's in-house marketing team.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Republican strategist Jim Merrill, a top New Hampshire adviser for Rubio's 2016 presidential bid, predicted that Iran would become a flashpoint in 2028 — just as the Iraq war was for Democrats in 2004 and 2008.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Apr. 2026
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Republican strategist Jim Merrill, a top New Hampshire adviser for Rubio’s 2016 presidential bid, predicted that Iran would become a flashpoint in 2028 — just as the Iraq war was for Democrats in 2004 and 2008.—
Michelle L. Price,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foresaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foresaw. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
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