Definition

Adjective: 1. Planning prudently for the future; having foresight. Characterized by the ability to anticipate future needs, consequences, or trends and plan wisely for them. 2. Capable of seeing to a great distance. Having the physical ability to see objects clearly that are far away.

Usage and Examples

• As an adjective describing foresight:
  • The company's farseeing investment in renewable technology secured its market dominance for decades.
  • Her farseeing leadership helped the community prepare for economic changes.
• As an adjective describing long-distance vision (less common):
  • The farseeing gaze of the eagle scanned the valley below for movement.
  • From the mountaintop, only those with the most farseeing eyes could make out the distant village.

Advanced Usage

• "Farseeing wisdom/policy/vision": These collocations emphasize the quality of planning and judgment for the long term.
  • The treaty was a product of farseeing diplomacy.

Variants and Related Words

• Farsighted (adj): This is a more common synonym with identical meanings (prudent planning and long-distance vision).
• Foresighted (adj): Specifically relates to the ability to anticipate the future.
• Prescient (adj): Having knowledge of events before they happen; prophetic.
• Provident (adj): Making careful preparation for the future; thrifty.

Synonyms

• Foresighted
• Forward-looking
• Longsighted (chiefly British English for the planning sense)
• Prescient
• Prospicient

Antonyms

• Shortsighted
• Myopic (for both the planning and literal vision senses)
• Improvident
• Unforeseeing

Adjective

1. planning prudently for the future
   • large goals that required farsighted policies
   • took a long view of the geopolitical issues
2. capable of seeing to a great distance