verb
foresee
for-SEE/fɔːrˈsiː/
Anticipate something before it happens.
The man foresees rain and gathers the dry laundry before the storm reaches his patio.
Etymology
Seeing beforehand is mental rather than physical sight: see already included understanding or perceiving. The compound expressed having a premonition, closely connecting that image with expecting an event before it happens.
In context
I mean there are a lot of ripple effects from an action like this that you that you you can't foresee. It's hard to calculate which way they're going to go.
More examples
- Nobody foresaw how quickly the small company would grow.
- It is hard to foresee every consequence of a decision.
- She has foreseen the need for extra staff this summer.
Forms
foresee · foresees · foresaw · foreseen · foreseeing
foreseeable adjective — Possible to anticipate before it happens.
unforeseen adjective — Not anticipated before it happens.
Similar words
- predict
- Emphasizes stating what will happen rather than mentally anticipating it.
- anticipate
- Often includes preparing for an event, not just predicting it.
- forecast
- Usually predicts conditions or trends using data and analysis.