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.
And airlines executives expect the trend of higher fares to continue for the foreseeable future. — Chris Isidore, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2026 With Boschini returning to his role for the foreseeable future, the evaluation of the football program under Dykes changes. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 Oct. 2026 Both teams are in the Pac-12 now and will presumably play every season for the foreseeable future, setting up a chance for a rivalry to grow between two schools less than 300 miles apart. — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 23 Oct. 2026 McCarthy got the nod over Jameis Winston, who started the previous four games since Jaxson Dart was sidelined for the foreseeable future because of a knee injury. — Cbs New York Team, CBS News, 21 Oct. 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

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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 27 Oct. 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

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