Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Showing results for forward-looking. Search instead for more inward-looking.
Definitions

forward-looking

[fawr-werd-look-ing] / ˈfɔr wərdˌlʊk ɪŋ /
ADJECTIVE
progressive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
forward-thinking left left of center leftist liberal reformist
STRONG
avant-garde broad-minded enlightened modern nontraditional open-minded tolerant
WEAK
bleeding-heart broad radical revolutionary
Antonyms
STRONG
conservative moderate orthodox traditional
ADJECTIVE
avant-garde
Synonyms
STRONGEST
advanced ahead of its time cutting-edge experimental groundbreaking innovative innovatory inventive leading-edge modern new new-wave original pioneering progressive revolutionary state-of-the-art trailblazing ultramodern unorthodox
STRONG
daring forward-thinking hip last-word nonconformist off the beaten path radical
WEAK
Bohemian offbeat unconventional unfamiliar unorthodox untraditional way-out
Antonyms
STRONGEST
behind the times old-fashioned orthodox outdated traditional
STRONG
conservative moderate
WEAK
conventional
ADJECTIVE
forward-thinking
Synonyms
STRONGEST
avant-garde innovative modern nontraditional progressive
STRONG
dynamic go-getting positive
WEAK
broad-minded enlightened liberal radical reformist revolutionary
Antonyms
STRONGEST
backward-looking
STRONG
conventional regressive traditional
ADJECTIVE
positive
Synonyms
STRONGEST
constructive effective good practical productive reasonable useful
STRONG
affirmative progressive sound
WEAK
efficacious
Antonyms
STRONGEST
fruitless impotent impractical incapable unproductive unskilled useless worthless
WEAK
disadvantageous doubtful indefinite negative uncertain unhelpful unsure
ADJECTIVE
innovative
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contemporary ingenious inventive new original
WEAK
avant-garde breaking new ground cutting-edge deviceful innovational innovatory just out leading-edge newfangled originative state-of-the-art
Antonyms
STRONGEST
old old-fashioned worn
WEAK
customary habitual traditional uncreative unimaginative
ADJECTIVE
futuristic
Synonyms
STRONGEST
innovative modern
WEAK
advanced cutting edge pioneering revolutionary visionary
Antonyms
STRONGEST
old
ADJECTIVE
revolutionary
Synonyms
STRONGEST
contemporary innovative modern radical
STRONG
avant-garde developing latest left novel
WEAK
advanced advancing cutting edge just out open-minded state-of-the-art up-and-coming
Antonyms
STRONGEST
old old-fashioned

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Most Chinese people are quite studious and forward-looking, so when confronted with new things, they might have stronger feelings" of so-called FOMO, he said.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

The stock market, however, is forward-looking; buy the rumor and sell the news, as the saying goes.

From Barron's • Mar. 10, 2026

The meeting will bring a fresh edition of the Fed’s forward-looking dot plot, a set of projections that displays how policymakers think that inflation, economic growth and interest rates will evolve over the coming years.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 3, 2026

Earlier on Monday, Carney met India's Foreign Minister S Jaishankar where the two discussed charting a "forward-looking partnership".

From BBC • Mar. 2, 2026

As he got ready, businessmen spoke of him as farseeing, forward-looking, progress-minded.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.