Forethought: meaning, definitions and examples

🧠

Add to dictionary

forethought

[ˈfɔrˌθɔt ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

planning

Careful consideration of what will be necessary or may happen in the future.

Synonyms

anticipation, foresight, preparation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
forethought	Use when referring to planning or thinking ahead about something, often with careful and deliberate consideration. She showed forethought by packing snacks for the long trip. His forethought saved them a lot of trouble later on.
foresight	Use when referring to the ability to predict or plan for the future, often with wisdom and insight. His foresight allowed him to invest in the company before it became successful. Having the foresight to save money helped them during tough times.
preparation	Use when referring to actions or steps taken to get ready for an event or situation. Their careful preparation made the event a huge success. She spent hours in preparation for her presentation.
anticipation	Use when referring to expecting or looking forward to something that is about to happen, often with excitement or anxiety. Her anticipation for the concert was infectious. They waited in anticipation for the results of the election.

Examples of usage

He had the foresight to make a plan for any potential obstacles.
The success of the project was due to the team's forethought in anticipating challenges.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

behavior

Thinking or planning for the future before taking action.

Synonyms

consideration, deliberation, premeditation.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
forethought	Forethought is used when talking about thinking carefully in advance about something to prevent problems or to prepare for future needs. It’s often used in positive contexts. She showed great forethought by packing extra clothes for the trip With a bit of forethought, you can avoid many issues
premeditation	Premeditation refers to planning or plotting something, especially a crime or harmful act, in advance. It usually carries a negative connotation. His actions were deemed a result of premeditation, making the crime more severe The prosecution argued that the attack was premeditated
consideration	Consideration means to think carefully about something, often involving weighing different aspects or showing thoughtfulness towards oneself or others. It’s used in both practical and empathetic contexts. Please take into consideration the impact of your decision on the team Her kind consideration for her friend's feelings was evident
deliberation	Deliberation refers to long and careful thought or discussion, often about serious matters. It implies thoroughness and sometimes formality in the decision-making process. After much deliberation, the jury reached a verdict The board's deliberation on the proposal took several hours

Examples of usage

Her forethought in saving money allowed her to buy a house at a young age.
The decision was made with careful forethought.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Middle English, meaning 'thinking ahead' or 'to consider in advance'.
It is made up of two parts: 'fore', meaning 'before', and 'thought', meaning 'an idea'.
This concept has been used in various contexts throughout history to show the importance of planning.

Psychology

Research suggests that people with higher levels of forethought tend to make better life choices.
Cognitive scientists believe that this ability helps in decision-making processes and reduces impulsivity.
Planning and consideration of future consequences are linked to emotional intelligence.

Literature

Many classic stories highlight characters who fail to use forethought, leading to their downfall, like in Shakespeare’s tragedies.
In philosophical texts, the importance of forethought is often discussed as a key trait of wisdom.
Modern novels frequently explore themes of planning and the unforeseen consequences of characters' actions.

Education

Teaching students about forethought can improve their critical thinking skills and help them make informed decisions.
Curricula often include lessons that encourage students to consider long-term outcomes of their actions.
Activities like project planning are useful for helping learners practice this important skill.

Business

Strategic planning in business relies heavily on the principles of forethought to anticipate market changes.
Successful leaders often emphasize the need for preemptive thinking in fostering innovation and growth.
Corporations invest in forecasting models, which embody the practice of forethought, to guide their future strategies.

Translations

Translations of the word "forethought" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antecipação

previsão
planejamento

🇮🇳 पूर्वविचार

🇩🇪 Voraussicht

🇮🇩 pemikiran sebelumnya

🇺🇦 передбачення

🇵🇱 przewidywanie

🇯🇵 予見

🇫🇷 prévision

prévoyance
réflexion anticipée

🇪🇸 previsión

🇹🇷 önsezi

🇰🇷 예측

🇸🇦 توقع

🇨🇿 předvídavost

🇸🇰 predvídavosť

🇨🇳 预见

🇸🇮 predvidevanje

🇮🇸 forsjá

🇰🇿 алдын ала болжау

🇬🇪 წინასწარ გათვლა

🇦🇿 öncəgörmə

🇲🇽 previsión

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #22,355, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

...
22352 fingering
22353 brimming
22354 incorrigible
22355 forethought
22356 imbecile
22357 cubs
22358 excavate
...