predicting 1 of 3

noun

as in prediction
a declaration that something will happen in the future those annual predictings by self-styled psychics that grace the front pages of the tabloids

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predicting

2 of 3

adjective

as in forecasting

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Dissimilar Words

predicting

3 of 3

verb

present participle of predict
as in reading
to tell of or describe beforehand I can't even begin to predict what housing prices will be like 30 years from now

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 predicting
Noun
With the 2025 college football season on the horizon, months of previewing and predicting soon will be in the rearview mirror. — Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
Historians are generally better off interpreting the past than predicting the future. — Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 13 Aug. 2026 From technological upheavals to an increasingly frenetic global trend cycle, industry leaders are constantly tasked with predicting what comes next — which is no small feat in 2026. — Sophie Lou Wilson, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2026 However, business confidence towards future output fell to its lowest level since March, with only 7% of firms predicting an uplift over the coming year. — Melissa Hancock, Fortune, 12 Aug. 2026 In a recent survey, 70% of Medicare Advantage executives expect the benefits to be less generous with not one leader predicting any richer benefits next year. — Diane Omdahl, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026 Rather than dismantling public health departments like the CDC and the FDA, the government should be investing more into tracking the spread of pathogens and predicting where new diseases might emerge. — Lorraine Boissoneault, STAT, 12 Aug. 2026 Precipitation-wise, the CPC’s outlook is predicting a 40-50% chance of above normal rainfall for much of the state during the winter months. — Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 Aug. 2026 AlphaFold achieved remarkable accuracy at predicting a protein’s likely three-dimensional structure. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 Meteorologists generally caution that seasonal forecasts months in advance carry significant uncertainty, especially when predicting conditions for specific locations. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predicting
  1. prediction
  2. reading
  3. forecasting
  4. anticipating
  5. forecast
  6. foretelling
  7. prognosticating
  8. warning
Noun
  • The group’s predictions are nightmarish and agonizing to even contemplate.
    — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Jason Trost Smarkets founder The first choice, though, would be for Smarkets to run as a prediction markets exchange regulated under the CFTC, Trost said.
    — Ananya Chetia, CNBC, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of prediction
Verb
  • The third step, Taborn said, involves going into the field with investigators and reading the energy of the environment.
    — Amanda Musa, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Cozy up in a reading nook complete with a brass floor lamp that casts a warm glow, or give your bedside a functional upgrade with this mid-century nightstand.
    — Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 16 Aug. 2026
Definition of reading
Noun
  • Demand planning capabilities on the Blue Yonder Platform utilize patented algorithms and advanced machine learning models to ensure that demand forecasting is not only highly accurate, but reliable.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
  • That is a forecasting problem, and attribution is most of the answer, because nothing can be forecast that cannot be seen by business unit.
    — Sanjay Srivastava, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of forecasting
Verb
  • The memorial is funded by private donations, and the Fallen Journalists Memorial Foundation is anticipating to dedicate the memorial in late 2028.
    — Mike Stunson, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026
  • But less accurate data, and less data collected overall, can prevent experts from accurately anticipating future events.
    — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of anticipating
Noun
  • Stay alert, keep an eye on the forecast and be ready to take shelter if a warning is issued.
    — Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 13 Aug. 2026
  • These odds will likely rise significantly for 2027, based on the latest forecasts.
    — Dan Peck, ABC News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of forecast
Verb
  • But the drama here feels too diagrammatic, foretelling a tragic fate from the first scene onward as everyone parties down like their lives depend on it.
    — Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026
  • The Guardian similarly noted more than a dozen $100,000 bets on prediction markets foretelling the February air strikes on Iran, while The New York Times last month reported 150 bets of $1,000 or more predicting the start of the war.
    — Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 21 Apr. 2026
Definition of foretelling
Verb
  • The new rule of thumb when prognosticating about the NBA trade deadline is to never say never — Luka Doncic is a Los Angeles Laker now — but the Nuggets are just too good to mess around with their playoff rotation over a tax bill.
    — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 Feb. 2026
  • 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
Definition of prognosticating
Verb
  • As Europe comes to grips with its fifth heat wave of the year, the research arm of Swiss Re AG is warning of far-reaching consequences.
    — Bloomberg, Fortune, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Local fisherman Wyck Crawford, played by a delightfully rascally Stephen Root, serves as Loftis’ human antagonist, warning the mayor of impending doom.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Definition of warning

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Cite this Entry

“Predicting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predicting. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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