foreknow
/fɔ:'noun/
Definition
- Verb:
- To know or realize something before it happens or exists: To have awareness or understanding of an event, fact, or outcome prior to its occurrence.
Usage
The verb "foreknow" is used to describe the act of possessing knowledge about a future event. It is a formal and somewhat literary term, often used in philosophical, theological, or predictive contexts. It typically takes a direct object (the thing that is known beforehand). - It is conjugated as: foreknow (present) - foreknew (past) - foreknown (past participle).
Examples
- Verb:
- Some philosophers argue that if a deity can foreknow all events, then free will is an illusion.
- She claimed to foreknow the winner of the election, but no one believed her.
- The outcome was foreknown by the ancient prophets. (past participle)
Advanced Usage
- "To foreknow the consequences": To be aware of the results before an action is taken.
- A wise leader tries to foreknow the consequences of major decisions.
- Used in passive constructions, often with "to be" or "to have been".
- The disaster had been foreknown by a few experts, but their warnings were ignored.
Variants and Related Words
- Foreknowledge (n): Knowledge of something before it happens.
- His actions were based on foreknowledge of the market crash.
- Foresee (v): To see or know beforehand. (This is a more common synonym but often implies visual imagery or prediction rather than certain knowledge.)
- Foretell (v): To predict or prophesy a future event.
Synonyms
- Anticipate: To expect or foresee and act in advance.
- Foresee: To be aware of beforehand; predict.
- Predict: To declare or indicate in advance.
Related Phrases
- To have foreknowledge of: To possess prior awareness about something.
- The agent was accused of having foreknowledge of the attack.
Verb
-
realize beforehand
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