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

Example 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 By their estimation, the serviceable addressable market (SAM) stands at about $2 trillion toward the end of the decade — that's about half of the total $3 trillion to $4 trillion in data center capital expenditures that Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently predicted would occur by 2030. Zev Fima, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025 The sale far surpassed the sale estimate, which predicted the item would go for between $8,000 and $16,000. Angela Andaloro, People.com, 8 Sep. 2025 AirPods Pro 3 Bloomberg and MacRumors, another Apple news outlet, both predict the AirPods Pro 3 to be released this month with a new design. Greta Cross, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025 Max Ortiz, the acting mayor of Santa Rosa, predicts border disputes will keep cropping up due to the ever-changing flow of the Amazon River. John Otis, NPR, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predict
Verb
  • The court received a total of 28 victim impact statements, of which seven were read publicly at last month's hearings.
    Alasdair Pal, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Keep reading for all the sexiest styles from the 2025 VMAs.
    Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Many had anticipated Sand would seek the governorship, launching his bid for the seat almost exactly one month after Reynolds announced her retirement.
    Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Treasury anticipates issuing additional guidance on what exactly will fall under this carve-out.
    Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But does the wet forecast foretell a cool-down?
    Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 27 Aug. 2025
  • For most, such latitude foretells a long stretch to go.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Simon-Kucher also has a new holiday shopping report, which surveyed consumers in July, and is forecasting Gen Z shoppers to reduce their holiday shopping budget by only 1%, from $814 to $805, while Millennials will be spending 14% more year over year.
    Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • While dry weather conditions are still forecast during the day, some light rain may occur at night.
    Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • The swells will continue to build and increase along east-facing shorelines through the middle of the week, the hurricane center warned.
    Thao Nguyen, USA Today, 8 Sep. 2025
  • Janet, Shannon and Heather were in the kitchen, and Janet was pinning the collar onto Heather's confirmation robe when a ceiling light, which was affixed to the ceiling with two chains and several eye hooks into a beam, crashed down onto the kitchen table without warning.
    Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bank of America Securities analyst Robert Ohmes just downgraded Target from hold to sell, prognosticating another 10-15% share drop.
    Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025
  • But our sorry showing in the early rounds undercuts any claim to prognosticating success.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Her attraction to coloring books presaged her minimal style.
    News Desk, Artforum, 8 Sep. 2025
  • The question facing Federal Reserve policymakers, who will meet next week, is whether the employment numbers presages a broader slump.
    John Cassidy, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Any Mega Millions winners will be posted here once announced by lottery officials.
    Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 13 Sep. 2025
  • Upwards of ten thousand fans made the trip each year, but despite the match-up’s popularity and history, the Georgia Tech administration unexpectedly announced its intention to end the series when the contract ran out in the late 1970s.
    Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 12 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Predict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predict. Accessed 14 Sep. 2025.

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