foreseeable

adjective

fore·​see·​able fȯr-ˈsē-ə-bəl How to pronounce foreseeable (audio)
Synonyms of foreseeablenext
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
fȯr-ˌsē-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē How to pronounce foreseeable (audio)
noun

Examples of foreseeable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
That architecture assumes a research setting in which the participant is the vulnerable party, the risks are foreseeable and the researcher is safe. — Arie Perliger, The Conversation, 31 Aug. 2026 That means Kalshi must keep Nevada users blocked from its most popular betting category for the foreseeable future—a ding on its revenue potential at a time the company is reportedly seeking to raise more money at a $40 billion valuation. — Dan Bernstein, Sportico.com, 28 Aug. 2026 With Cruz sidelined for the foreseeable future, a Yankees bullpen that didn’t add reinforcements before the trade deadline is in flux. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Aug. 2026 With starting tackles Taylor Moton (blood clot) and Ikem Ekwonu (knee surgery) sidelined for the foreseeable future, the Panthers don’t have any choice but to stick with Freeling at right tackle. — Joseph Person, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing foreseeable

Rhymes for foreseeable

See All Rhymes for foreseeable

Browse Nearby Words

foresee
foreseeable
foreseeingly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Foreseeable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreseeable. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

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

More from Merriam-Webster on foreseeable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for foreseeable

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!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All