forethought

[ fawr-thawt, fohr- ]

noun

1. thoughtful provision beforehand; provident care; prudence.
2. a thinking of something beforehand; previous consideration; anticipation.

forethought

/ ˈfɔːˌθɔːt /

noun

1. advance consideration or deliberation
2. thoughtful anticipation of future events

Derived Forms

• foreˈthoughtfulness, noun
• foreˈthoughtful, adjective
• foreˈthoughtfully, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of forethought¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, forethought is from the Middle English word forthoght. See fore-, thought ¹

Synonym Study

See prudence.

Example Sentences

In the hybrid workplace, though, holding a productive, even enjoyable meeting is going to require more forethought and mindfulness to avoid massive frustration.

From Quartz

Starting a software company 7,900 miles southwest of Silicon Valley requires some forethought and not a small amount of crazy.

From TechCrunch

Protecting your little dog in the winter will require a bit of extra fabric and forethought, especially in snowy environments, below-freezing climates, or on windy days.

From Popular-Science

Clearly, gender creative parenting involves work, vigilance, and forethought, and while it’s not for everyone, it’s a compelling enough idea to stick in your mind like glue.

From Washington Blade

A forethought and an afterthought frame the four chapters with reflections on the way Smith came to the work, the way the project affected him and what he allows himself to hope for at its conclusion.

From Washington Post

With a lot of forethought, he wields an 8-pound maul through timber.

From The Daily Beast

Their way of mourning, according to the pastor, involved research, meditation, and forethought.

From The Daily Beast

We ought to guard that evidence of American exceptionalism with great care and forethought.

From The Daily Beast

The difference, Folmar says, is that his mother had the forethought to get him into job-training programs at a young age.

From The Daily Beast

At least this time there was forethought on how the two firms could be restructured.

From The Daily Beast

Their works are not a momentary inspiration; they are the result of forethought, long and painstaking.

From Project Gutenberg

Our commander had the forethought to see that we lay well out of range of the small-arms of the period.

From Project Gutenberg

The question was set at rest by his forethought, disclosed by the arrival of some large packages addressed to her.

From Project Gutenberg

See the rivers, how they run,Changeless toward the changeless sea;All around is forethought sure,Fixed will and stern decree.

From Project Gutenberg

With forethought and summoned patience they can endure great agonies; but a sudden pang, unexpected, overwhelms them.

From Project Gutenberg