future 1 of 2

noun

Definition of futurenext
1
as in tomorrow
time that is to come in the future, there may be medical discoveries that are beyond our fondest dreams

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in fate
what is going to happen to someone in the time ahead with such a strong academic record, his future looks bright

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

future

2 of 2

adjective

ˈfyü-chər How to pronounce future (audio)
as in coming
of a time after the present we must preserve our national parks in all their glory so that future generations can experience the majesty of nature

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of future
Noun
For Lalande, the scholarship is about making sure a child's past doesn't determine their future. — Marissa Perlman, CBS News, 30 July 2026 Stock market futures were positive following the report while Treasury yields were sharply higher. — Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 July 2026
Adjective
The successful landing is a major milestone in SpaceX's goal to develop the rocket for future moon and Mars missions. — Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 29 July 2026 This is a spot to impress your future spouse or to celebrate a milestone. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for future
Recent Examples of Synonyms for future
  1. tomorrow
  2. fate
  3. coming
  4. futurity
  5. destiny
  6. upcoming
  7. circumstance
  8. subsequent
Noun
  • If artificial intelligence disappeared tomorrow, would my current performance measures still identify my highest-performing employees?
    — Michael Edmondson, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
  • The deadline for Miller to drop off the ballot is tomorrow; CNN will interview him later today.
    — Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of tomorrow
Noun
  • Hollywood appears to be divided between those who are adamant that the merger will destroy a legacy studio while harming workers and others (including inside the companies) fearing a potentially worse fate if the deal is blocked.
    — Dade Hayes, Deadline, 3 Aug. 2026
  • But whatever a judge decides, the ballot box is where the fate of Proposition 39 rests.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of fate
Adjective
  • As inflation skyrockets in Iran, many civilians will feel the bite of poverty and hardship in the coming months, said Hadi Kahalzadeh, economist and non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute.
    — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • The coming months will have an entirely new look, however, if reports are accurate.
    — David Phelan, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of coming
Noun
  • Established in 2023, the biennial prize is given in recognition of next-gen multidisciplinary artists working at the intersection of art, media, and technology to explore notions of futurity and transformation.
    — News Desk, Artforum, 4 Nov. 2025
  • This reading list offers resources for engaging with Indigenous thought, resistance, and futurity.
    — JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 11 Oct. 2025
Definition of futurity
Noun
  • Ella Rubin seems to have always known an actor’s life was her destiny.
    — Stephen Schaefer, Boston Herald, 2 Aug. 2026
  • The themes are about honor and destiny; there are massively violent battle scenes; one character ends up with the entire back half of his skull bashed in.
    — Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of destiny
Adjective
  • The tour is also dedicated to the upcoming 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence on August 24, linking Sasha’s personal story to the country’s ongoing fight for freedom.
    — Emile Nuh, CNN Money, 31 July 2026
  • Teams have trained over the summer to be ready for the upcoming school year, APS police Chief Ronald Applin said.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 31 July 2026
Definition of upcoming
Noun
  • Which is not entirely unreasonable given this very specific set of circumstances.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The past-present juxtapositions—of bodies, circumstances, attitudes, and even film stock—made for a sly and poignant ode to (or lament over) time’s passage.
    — Nick Paumgarten, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of circumstance
Adjective
  • Any approval and subsequent delivery of the vaccine would be months, if not years, away.
    — Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • Instead, subsequent research found that many students experienced academic setbacks, particularly in math, while broader findings concluded that large-scale school closures rarely generate the long-term budget savings policymakers promise.
    — Richard Fowler, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of subsequent

Browse Nearby Words

futons
future
futureless
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Cite this Entry

“Future.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/future. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on future

Nglish: Translation of future for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about future

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