forecast

verb

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fore·cast | \ ˈfȯr-ˌkast

; fȯr-ˈkast \

forecast also forecasted; forecasting

Definition of forecast

(Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to calculate or predict (some future event or condition) usually as a result of study and analysis of available pertinent data The company is forecasting reduced profits. especially : to predict (weather conditions) on the basis of correlated meteorological (see meteorology sense 1) observations They're forecasting rain for this weekend.

b : to indicate as likely to occur Optimists are forecasting an immediate upswing in business.

2 : to serve as a forecast of : presage Such events may forecast peace.

intransitive verb

: to calculate the future if it turns out as I forecasted

forecast

noun

fore·cast | \ ˈfȯr-ˌkast

Definition of forecast (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : a prophecy, estimate, or prediction of a future happening or condition

2 archaic : foresight of consequences and provision against them : forethought

Other Words from forecast Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about forecast

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Choose the Right Synonym for forecast

Verb

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 forecast in a Sentence

Verb They're forecasting rain for this weekend. The company is forecasting reduced profits. Experts forecast that the economy will slow in the coming months. Noun want to catch the weather forecast so I'll know what kind of clothes to pack for the trip tomorrow

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb America’s failure to control the outbreak is forecast to be costly. — Michelle Fay Cortez, Bloomberg.com, "U.S. Virus-Death Rate Is World’s Worst Among Developed Nations," 12 Oct. 2020 Delta is forecast to turn more to the northeast after landfall and will move over Mississippi and into Tennessee. — Leigh Morgan, al, "Hurricane Delta track update: Delta closing in on Louisiana coast with 115 mph winds; landfall expected this evening," 9 Oct. 2020 While Delta is a large hurricane with tropical-storm-force winds reaching up to 160 miles, the storm is not forecast to directly impact Central Florida. — Joe Mario Pedersen, orlandosentinel.com, "Hot and stormy weekend ahead in Central Florida," 9 Oct. 2020 Hurricane Delta, a powerful Category 2 storm, is forecast to make landfall Friday afternoon or evening near Lake Charles, Louisiana, just six weeks after Hurricane Laura battered the same area. — NBC News, "Hurricane Delta churns toward already-battered Louisiana coast," 9 Oct. 2020 Hurricane Delta is forecast to hit Louisiana Friday evening, apparently in the same southwestern part of the state where Hurricane Laura roared ashore six weeks ago. — CBS News, "Live updates: Hurricane Delta forecast to bring "life-threatening" storm surge to Gulf Coast," 9 Oct. 2020 The storm is still forecast to make landfall as a Category 2 hurricane around 7 p.m. Friday near Cameron, Louisiana, the southwest corner of Louisiana battered by Hurricane Laura just a month ago. — Katelyn Umholtz, NOLA.com, "Category 3 Hurricane Delta continues to strengthen as it approaches Louisiana; see watches, warnings," 8 Oct. 2020 The storm is forecast to make landfall along the Louisiana coast sometime Friday evening. — Zachary Halaschak, Washington Examiner, "'We have until nightfall': Louisiana braces for Hurricane Delta," 8 Oct. 2020 The storm is forecast to affect coastal Louisiana late in the week, bringing dangerous winds, along with flooding from storm surge and rain. — John Muyskens, Washington Post, "Tracking Delta," 6 Oct. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Bastian said Delta wouldn’t be able to break even on a cash-flow basis until next year, updating an earlier forecast that the company would reach that milestone by the end of 2020. — Mary Schlangenstein, Bloomberg.com, "Delta Delays $5 Billion of Jet Deliveries in Blow to Airbus," 13 Oct. 2020 To be sure, IEA projects oil consumption in 2030 will be 2 million barrels per day lower compared with the agency’s forecast last year, before the pandemic occurred. — Josh Siegel, Washington Examiner, "Oil use won't peak this decade despite pandemic, global energy body says," 13 Oct. 2020 Low interest rates and a flat yield curve hurt JPMorgan’s core lending profitability more than forecast. — Telis Demos, WSJ, "Amid Pandemic, JPMorgan Can Afford to Think Long Term," 13 Oct. 2020 And aside from a slight chance of showers Friday, no additional rain is included in the weather service’s seven-day forecast. — oregonlive, "Portland metro Tuesday weather: Wet, windy conditions expected," 13 Oct. 2020 The analysts surveyed by FactSet now foresee a decline in EPS of 20.5% versus Q3 of last year, five points better than the drop forecast on June 30. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, "As earnings season kicks off, only 48% of companies have resumed giving investors guidance," 12 Oct. 2020 The forecast has led Cal Fire to bolster staff, and volunteer fire stations are standing by. — Tatiana Sanchez, SFChronicle.com, "Bay Area heating up, adding to fire danger amid record-breaking Spare the Air alert," 11 Oct. 2020 With that said, will definitely be running below average in the temp department during the 2nd half of the map if the current forecast holds. — Paul Douglas, Star Tribune, "Sunday Night Storms. Tumbling Temps Next Week," 10 Oct. 2020 Stay informed and get your clicks in throughout the day by constantly refreshing FiveThirtyEight’s Presidential forecast and reading every article about climate change, even the ones behind a paywall. — Jiji Lee, The New Yorker, "Easy Exercises to Get Your Body Election-Day Ready," 9 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'forecast.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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