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.
For the foreseeable future, the United States is likely to remain heavily involved in its allies’ conflicts. — Dafna H. Rand, Foreign Affairs, 4 Aug. 2026 This feels like a team that’s destined to finish in the 20s of the league standings for the foreseeable future. — Harman Dayal, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026 ExxonMobil, which operates the world’s biggest refinery network outside of China, sees the trend advancing for the foreseeable future because about 5 million barrels a day of refining capacity is unable to reach the global market. — Kevin Crowley, Fortune, 1 Aug. 2026 But YouTube’s own experiments with AI should allay those fears, at least to some extent and for the foreseeable future. — Reed Albergotti, semafor.com, 31 July 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
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Cite this Entry

“Foreseeable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreseeable. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of foreseeable for Spanish Speakers

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