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 Until now, there has been no reliable way to predict which patients are most at risk. Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 13 Oct. 2025 Some states, one analyst predicted, could even drop below $2 a gallon. Frank Witsil, Freep.com, 13 Oct. 2025 Robert and Michelle King are known for predicting the future. Scarlett Harris, Time, 13 Oct. 2025 Previous studies have suggested the LDAEP marker may be worth investigating in people with mental health conditions such as depression, bipolar disorder and anxiety, in that LDAEP levels may help predict how well a patient will respond to different psychiatric medications. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 12 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predict
Verb
  • Children…who had previously not read for pleasure are standing in line at bookstores and libraries to get the next book in the series.
    JSTOR Daily, JSTOR Daily, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Faithful to tradition, the festival’s 800 volunteers were feted with a walk-around the concert hall to the sound of a brass band, before guests were invited to the stage to officially open the festival by reading a sentence in unison – a joyous cacophony that drew complicit laughter from the crowd.
    Lise Pedersen, Variety, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In April, Caviezel anticipated returning as Christ in Resurrection.
    Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Most teams anticipate the asking price to be steep.
    Dianna Russini, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Todd's second-ever screen role foretold his future prominence, as the taciturn Sgt.
    Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025
  • However, economists caution, the better-than-expected reading could be a sign of a slowing economy and that shrinking businesses’ margins could foretell higher prices for consumers in the near future.
    Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • John Hollinger forecasts how the bottom of the Western Conference will play out.
    Zach Harper, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The system’s center is forecast to remain offshore of the Baja California Sur coast, dissipating by Saturday, according to the agency.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Elam helps answer questions about the process, warns business owners of building code violations and does a preliminary inspection before their state certification visit.
    Keely Doll, Louisville Courier Journal, 12 Oct. 2025
  • Buffaloes fans at the stadium in Boulder spilled out of their seats and onto the field after the victory, even as the public address announcer warned fans the school will possibly be fined by the Big 12 Conference for their part in the field storming.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • In the midst of the chaos, Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes has offered a brutal prediction as far as Tatum is concerned, prognosticating that the C's will never again win another title with the Duke product as their top option.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025
  • 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
Verb
  • One of Redford’s last screen roles, which presaged his retirement from acting in 2018, was as the career criminal Forrest Tucker in David Lowery’s The Old Man & the Gun.
    K. Austin Collins, The Atlantic, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Local officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning at Philadelphia’s Calder Gardens, the new sanctuary honoring pathbreaking sculptor Alexander Calder, presaging its opening to the public, which is set for September 21.
    News Desk, Artforum, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Blumhouse announced at CinemaCon 2024 that a sequel to Five Nights at Freddy’s was coming in 2025.
    Bethy Squires, Vulture, 11 Oct. 2025
  • The new boat will meet boaters in the water to empty their waste holding tanks for free, the city announced Thursday.
    Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

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

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