foretell

verb

fore·​tell fȯr-ˈtel How to pronounce foretell (audio)
foretold fȯr-ˈtōld How to pronounce foretell (audio) ; foretelling

transitive verb

: to tell beforehand : predict
foreteller noun
Choose the Right Synonym for foretell

foretell, predict, forecast, prophesy, prognosticate mean to tell beforehand.

foretell applies to the telling of the coming of a future event by any procedure or any source of information.

seers foretold the calamity

predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

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

forecast snow

prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises.

prophesying a new messiah

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

Examples of foretell in a Sentence

We cannot foretell the future. a 16th-century astrologer who, some claim, accurately foretold 20th-century events
Recent Examples on the Web Confidence can foretell consumer spending, which makes up 70% of the economy. Paul Davidson, USA TODAY, 27 Oct. 2024 That flash point foretells an America becoming more polarized the hotter things get, more sharply divided between its rural and urban communities and more hateful and more dangerous. Abrahm Lustgarten, ProPublica, 19 Oct. 2024 Since then, that number has only continued to dwindle, foretelling the eventual closure of its brick-and-mortar locations amid competition from Target, Walmart and online retailers. Sara Belcher, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024 That fact alone foretells how Gen Z overall will respond to the country's current dominant forms of Christianity, from white evangelicalism to white Catholicism, Deckman says. Russell Contreras, Axios, 27 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for foretell 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foretell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foretell was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near foretell

Cite this Entry

“Foretell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foretell. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

foretell

verb
fore·​tell fōr-ˈtel How to pronounce foretell (audio)
fȯr-
foretold -ˈtōld How to pronounce foretell (audio) ; foretelling
: to tell of or describe beforehand
foreteller noun

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