predict

Synonym Chooser

How is the word predict different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of predict are forecast, foretell, prognosticate, and prophesy. While all these words mean "to tell beforehand," predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

How are the words forecast and predict related?

Forecast adds the implication of anticipating eventualities and differs from predict in being usually concerned with probabilities rather than certainties.

forecast snow

Where would foretell be a reasonable alternative to predict?

While the synonyms foretell and predict are close in meaning, foretell applies to the telling of the coming of a future event by any procedure or any source of information.

seers foretold the calamity

How does the word prognosticate relate to other synonyms for predict?

Prognosticate is used less often than the other words; it may suggest learned or skilled interpretation, but more often it is simply a colorful substitute for predict or prophesy.

prognosticating the future

When can prophesy be used instead of predict?

The words prophesy and predict can be used in similar contexts, but prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises.

prophesying a new messiah

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of predict While 3-5 inches of snow was predicted for New York City, coastal Connecticut and Long Island, areas further inland were expected to see 5 to 7 inches of snow. Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 19 Jan. 2025 This time, at least, Spurs’ second-half fightback gave the scoreline (3-2) a degree of respectability no one would have predicted at the break. Jack Pitt-Brooke, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025 Zillow predicts home prices in the top five hottest markets will grow between 2.6 percent and 4.2 percent in 2025. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025 Flutter predicts that the total U.S. market will grow to $63 billion by 2030, up more than 50% from its previous forecast in 2022. Robert Olsen, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for predict 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predict
Verb
  • To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Lively’s text isn’t specific as to who her dragons are, but many are reading it as a reference to her husband Reynolds and her friend Taylor Swift.
    Erik Kain, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Withdrawal from the agreement was anticipated to be among Trump’s first actions in office, which are expected to focus in large part on energy and environmental policy.
    Zack Budryk, The Hill, 20 Jan. 2025
  • Bitcoin gained steam last week as traders anticipated the inauguration, viewed by many in crypto as symbolic of a new golden era of more supportive crypto regulation in the U.S. Ahead of the event, speculation that Trump might announce an executive order on crypto early in his new term grew.
    Tanaya Macheel, CNBC, 20 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Kessler’s hiring could foretell antitrust litigation that would rattle a hockey world already coming to terms with the NCAA allowing more junior players to join Division I college teams.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Written soon after the death of Mahler’s daughter and soon before his own, the symphony is a sombre, reflective, and reverberant adieu, brewing such melancholy that Leonard Bernstein theorized that Mahler was foretelling his own end.
    The New Yorker, The New Yorker, 10 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Once the rain tapers off on Monday, a stretch of mild weather with cooler temperatures and low wind speeds is forecast for the rest of the week.
    Christopher Cann, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2025
  • Thursday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 38.
    Matt Hubbard, Baltimore Sun, 26 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Dangerous fire conditions are expected to return next week, the National Weather Service warned.
    Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 17 Jan. 2025
  • Top Senate negotiators are privately warning that talks about a spending deal are way behind schedule.
    Hans Nichols, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • That hasn’t stopped our stalwart insiders from viewing them and preferentially voting in 10 Oscar categories (most points for most likely, or most hoped for, to succeed) for your prognosticating pleasure.
    Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
  • Relying on polls and the prognosticating reputation of their Washington correspondent, editors announced the victory of Republican New York Gov. Thomas Dewey over the incumbent president, Democrat Harry S. Truman.
    Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
  • But for a moment that presaged a post-Covid era of good feelings, flash back to February.
    Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
  • The timing may have seemed inauspicious, but in hindsight, the debut of the 3940 presaged a new era for Patek Philippe, marked by serial production of complicated timepieces.
    Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
Verb
  • All eyes have been on Greenland recently after President Trump announced an interest in possibly purchasing the world’s largest island from Denmark.
    Roger Sands, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2025
  • Georgia wildlife officials announced Thursday that the state has confirmed its first case of Chronic Wasting Disease.
    Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 24 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near predict

Cite this Entry

“Predict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predict. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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