The past can only be known, not changed. The future can only be changed, not known.
Source: tatoeba (1744)
Future
/ˈfjuː.t͡ʃə(ɹ)/
Synonyms for "future" (165 found)
Ranked by relevance and common usage.
Closest matches (33)
Strong matches (50)
Related words (82)
in storein the cardsin the offingin the windin viewinevitabilityinstantintendedjust around the cornerkismetlaterloominglotloweringlurkingmananamenacingmoiranearnear at hand
Show 48 more words
nearingoffingon the horizonoverhangingpastpast perfectperfectplanetsplannedplottedpluperfectpoint tenseportionposterioritypotentialpredestinationpredictedpredictionpreparingpresentpresent perfectpreteritprobabilityprobableprogressive tenseprojectprojectedprophecyprophesiedprospectprospectivestarssubsequenttensethat will bethreateningtime to cometo cometo-betomorrowultimateunbornunlucky dayupcomingwaitingweirdwheel of fortunewill of heaven
Adjective(2 words)
Choosing the right synonym
- Closest matches in this entry: future tense, about to be, affianced, aftertime, afterward.
- Sentence evidence is available for future, so synonym choice can be checked against real usage rather than a flat word list.
- Ranking signals come from wordnet, opengloss, moby, derived_reverse, and related lexical sources.
Synonym selection checklist
- Match the part of speech before comparing meanings.
- Check whether the synonym changes intensity, formality, or emotional tone.
- Read the replacement inside the full sentence, not just beside "future".
- Prefer the clearest word over the most unusual word when writing for speed or comprehension.
When not to replace "future"
Keep "future" when the sentence already sounds natural, when a synonym would add unintended emphasis, or when readers need the most familiar wording. A synonym should clarify or sharpen the message, not simply make the sentence look more varied.
If two options seem close, choose the one that best matches the audience and purpose of the sentence.
Replacement workflow
1. Preserve meaning
Choose a synonym only if it keeps the core idea of "future" intact in the sentence you are editing.
2. Tune tone
Check whether the replacement sounds more formal, casual, emotional, technical, or forceful than the original word.
3. Re-read context
Read the full sentence after the swap. Keep the synonym only when the sentence becomes clearer or more precise.
Review note: Synonym lists are ranked with lexical data and reviewed for practical writing value. Use the comparison notes, sentence evidence, and source labels together; a high-ranking synonym can still be wrong when the audience, register, or grammar changes.
Final fit check
After choosing a replacement for "future", read the sentence once for meaning and once for rhythm. The best synonym should feel natural in the full sentence, not only accurate in a word list.
If the synonym makes the sentence slower, vaguer, or more dramatic than intended, keep "future" or choose a simpler alternative from the closest-match group.
Related word relations
OpenGloss and ConceptNet supply richer edges like generalizations, collocations, and derivations.
More general
14 entriesMore specific
10 entriesdistant futuregrowth potentiallong-term futuremarket forecastnear futureperiphrastic futureprospectivesimple futureupcomingupside potential
Collocations
9 entriesfuture generationsfuture plansfuture prospectsfuture researchfuture studiesfuture trendfuture worklong-term futureshort-term future
Inflections
1 entriesDerivations
4 entriesAntonyms
3 entriessimilar
13 entriesSample sentences
17 total sentences available.
My interest is in the future because I'm going to spend the rest of my life there.
Source: tatoeba (2286)
The best way to predict the future is to invent it.
Source: tatoeba (2289)
What do you want to do in the future?
Source: tatoeba (15992)
Showing 4 of 17 available sentences.
Common questions
What are the closest synonyms for "future"?
Closest matches include future tense, about to be, affianced, aftertime, afterward.
How should I check whether a synonym fits "future"?
Compare the replacement against real sentence context. This entry includes sample sentences so you can check tone, grammar, and meaning before swapping words.