Words of Positivity
Browse the A to Z index4,633 ENTRIES

Forward-looking

adj.thoughtful, hopefulprofessional

What it means

Planning wisely for future opportunities and needs.

Reach for it when praising plans that seriously consider future needs and opportunities

The forward-looking council reserved funds for climate adaptation.

Choose between these

6
  • warm

    farsighted

    wise anticipation is supported by decisions

    not when Farsighted can imply prediction rather than openness to change.

  • warm

    visionary

    bold imagination offers a compelling direction

    not when Visionary is grander and may lack execution.

  • professional

    future-oriented

    goals and attention point ahead

    not when Orientation may remain abstract.

  • professional

    progressive

    reform and improvement define the stance

    not when Progressive can carry political meaning.

  • professional

    strategic

    present choices serve long-range aims

    not when Strategy can preserve an old model.

  • formal

    anticipatory

    action begins before a predicted need

    not when Anticipatory planning may be defensive rather than hopeful.

Said against

3
  • backward-looking
  • shortsighted
  • reactive

It naturally appears in

3
  • forward-looking policy

    A forward-looking policy funds maintenance.

  • forward-looking company

    The forward-looking company trains apprentices.

  • forward-looking approach

    Their forward-looking approach protects mature trees.

Where this comes from

The definition and the example on this page are written here. The dictionaries above ground which meaning is being described, not the wording.