foreknow
verb
fore·know (ˌ)fȯr-ˈnō 
foreknew (ˌ)fȯr-ˈnü ; foreknowing
-ˈnyü
; foreknown (ˌ)fȯr-ˈnōn ; foreknowing transitive verb
: to have previous knowledge of : know beforehand especially by paranormal means or by revelation
foreknowledge
ˈfȯr-ˌnä-lij
noun (ˌ)fȯr-ˈnä-
Synonyms
- anticipate
- divine
- forefeel
- foresee
- prevision
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
what couple can possibly foreknow the trials and tribulations that marriage will bring?
Word History
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined above
foreknow
verb
as in to foresee
to realize or know about beforehand what couple can possibly foreknow the trials and tribulations that marriage will bring? Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- foresee
- anticipate
- predict
- divine
- prevision
- foretell
- fear
- prefigure
- prophesy
- prognosticate
- envision
- presage
- foreshadow
- forefeel
- forecast
- envisage
- visualize
- forewarn
- augur
- perceive
- preview
- foretoken
- caution
- discern
- alert
- dread
- apprehend
- descry
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of foreknow are anticipate, divine, and foresee. While all these words mean "to know beforehand," foreknow usually implies supernatural assistance, as through revelation.
if only we could foreknow our own destinies
In some situations, the words anticipate and foreknow are roughly equivalent. However, anticipate implies taking action about or responding emotionally to something before it happens.
the waiter anticipated our every need
Divine adds to foresee the suggestion of exceptional wisdom or discernment.
was able to divine Europe's rapid recovery from the war
Although the words foresee and foreknow have much in common, foresee implies nothing about how the knowledge is derived and may apply to ordinary reasoning and experience.
economists should have foreseen the recession