Thesaurus results for FOREKNOW

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

foreknow

verb

(ˌ)fȯr-ˈnō

Definition of foreknow

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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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

Verb

The arch will disturb the sightline between more landmarks than anticipated, the report said.

— Matthew Daly, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026
Reliable, independent government reporting is an important part of the information infrastructure businesses use to understand labor supply, anticipate change and make workforce decisions.

— Sheila Callaham, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of anticipate

Verb

In April, for example, the head of the International Energy Agency predicted that flights may soon need to be grounded in Europe due to jet fuel shortages.

— Katie Silver, Fortune, 29 Aug. 2026
Processor defenses leave a tiny opening Modern processors improve performance by predicting which path a program is likely to follow and beginning the work before the correct path is confirmed.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026

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.

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foreknew

foreknow

foreknowing

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“Foreknow.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreknow. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of foreknow

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