foredoom: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Literary, Formal, Occasionally used in elevated prose.
Quick answer
What does “foredoom” mean?
To doom, condemn, or destine to failure in advance.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To doom, condemn, or destine to failure in advance.
To predetermine an unfavourable outcome; to make something inevitably fail or suffer a negative fate before it even begins.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally rare in both variants.
Connotations
Same in both: Literary, archaic, dramatic, fatalistic.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary texts, but this is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “foredoom” in a Sentence
[Verb] + [Object] + to + [Noun Phrase (failure, defeat, etc.)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “foredoom” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The evidence seemed to foredoom the defendant from the trial's outset.
- His reckless choices would foredoom the entire expedition to disaster.
American English
- That strategic error foredoomed the campaign to failure.
- Many felt the committee's bias foredoomed any chance of a fair hearing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in post-mortem analysis: 'The lack of initial funding foredoomed the venture.'
Academic
Used in historical, literary, or philosophical texts to discuss fate, determinism, or historical inevitability.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “foredoom”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “foredoom”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “foredoom”
- Using it without 'to' (e.g., 'It foredoomed failure' instead of 'It foredoomed it to failure').
- Confusing it with 'foreshadow' (which suggests, not ensures).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a rare, literary word. In most contexts, 'condemn to failure' or 'destine to fail' are more common alternatives.
Virtually never. Its core meaning is tied to negative, often tragic, pre-determination. For positive outcomes, 'predestine to success' or 'ensure' would be used.
'Foreshadow' hints at or suggests a future event. 'Foredoom' declares it as inevitable and negative. Foreshadowing is suggestive; foredooming is deterministic and conclusive.
Yes, the past participle 'foredoomed' (as in 'a foredoomed attempt') is encountered more frequently than the active verb form.
To doom, condemn, or destine to failure in advance.
Foredoom is usually literary, formal, occasionally used in elevated prose. in register.
Foredoom: in British English it is pronounced /fɔːˈduːm/, and in American English it is pronounced /fɔːrˈduːm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “foredoomed to failure”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FORE (before) + DOOM (terrible fate). To 'doom beforehand'.
Conceptual Metaphor
FATE IS A JUDGE / FUTURE IS A DESTINATION. The future negative outcome is presented as a pre-existing judicial sentence or a fixed endpoint.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'foredoom' correctly?