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Forethought: meaning, definitions and examples

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forethought

 

[ ˈfɔrˌθɔt ]

Noun
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?

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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?

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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.

Translations

Translations of the word "forethought" in other languages:

🇵🇹 antecipação

🇮🇳 पूर्वविचार

🇩🇪 Voraussicht

🇮🇩 pemikiran sebelumnya

🇺🇦 передбачення

🇵🇱 przewidywanie

🇯🇵 予見

🇫🇷 prévision

🇪🇸 previsión

🇹🇷 önsezi

🇰🇷 예측

🇸🇦 توقع

🇨🇿 předvídavost

🇸🇰 predvídavosť

🇨🇳 预见

🇸🇮 predvidevanje

🇮🇸 forsjá

🇰🇿 алдын ала болжау

🇬🇪 წინასწარ გათვლა

🇦🇿 öncəgörmə

🇲🇽 previsión

Etymology

The word 'forethought' originated from Middle English 'forethoght', which means 'anticipation'. It combines the prefix 'fore-' meaning 'before' and 'thought' meaning 'the action or process of thinking'. The term has been in use since the 13th century.

See also: thoughtful, thoughtfully, thoughtfulness, thoughtless, thoughtlessly, thoughtlessness, thoughts, unthoughtful.

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.