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 This weekend’s weather is perhaps a sign of things to come as Punxsutawney Phil woke up on Friday and did not see his shadow, foretelling according to legend that we are destined for an early spring. Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun, 1 Feb. 2024 The rare find provides new context about life in Roman Britain. — A dead star that feasted on a planet once in its orbit could foretell the eventual fate of our own solar system. — Scientists have identified one reason why invasive Jorō spiders are spreading throughout United States. Katie Hunt, CNN, 2 Mar. 2024 Even coming off that sweep, nobody could foretell the drop the Yankees were about to experience with an 82-win season that barely kept their streak of winning seasons intact and given what the Yankees are attempting to rebound from, the tone seemed more focused on urgency. Larry Fleisher, Forbes, 15 Feb. 2024 This may foretell a brutal reckoning down the road for the premium chatbot services, too. Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024 An increase in energy and greater-than-average stress usually foretold a migraine would appear later the next day. Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 25 Jan. 2024 However, the recent cutbacks in tech also are due to the rise of artificial intelligence and the persistence of high interest rates, some analysts said, foretelling similar risks for workers across major swathes of the economy. Max Zahn, ABC News, 18 Jan. 2024 Trending As with the internet’s recent descent into junk and AI gibberish, Pitchfork’s current predicament might have been foretold in its Nineties origins. Marc Hogan, Rolling Stone, 18 Jan. 2024 And very often this all-hands-on-deck mobilization of civil society and the private sector is highlighting a glaring government absence – prompting many Israelis to foretell deep political repercussions in the years ahead. Howard Lafranchi, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2023

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 19 Mar. 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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