forecast

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verb

fore·cast ˈfȯr-ˌkast

fȯr-ˈkast

forecast also forecasted; forecasting

Synonyms of forecast next

transitive verb

: 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.

: to indicate as likely to occur

Optimists are forecasting an immediate upswing in business.

: 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

forecastable

ˈfȯr-ˌka-stə-bəl

adjective

forecaster noun

forecast

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noun

fore·cast ˈfȯr-ˌkast

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

archaic : foresight of consequences and provision against them : forethought

Choose the Right Synonym for forecast

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

Next is a series of tasks: identifying income streams, stress testing investment portfolios and retirement funds, and forecasting how much will be needed for the rest of their own lives. —

Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023 However, after Thursday’s PPI and retail sales report a fewer share of traders forecast a interest rate hike compared to Wednesday. —

Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN, 14 Sep. 2023 Google also uses it to forecast river floods and to recommend eco-friendly routes on its maps service. —

Nuha Dolby, WSJ, 11 Sep. 2023 The high temperature Sunday was forecast to be 81 degrees near the coast at Los Angeles International Airport, 89 in downtown L.A., and hotter in the valley — hitting 93 in Burbank and 97 in Woodland Hills. —

Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2023 Colts owner Jim Irsay noted on social media that sunny skies and a high temperature of about 80 degrees at 3 p.m. ET are forecast for Indianapolis, prompting the decision. —

Scott Horner, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Sep. 2023 Its winds had risen to 65 mph and it was forecast to strengthen into a hurricane on Monday. —

DÁnica Coto, BostonGlobe.com, 10 Sep. 2023 Then rough surf, rip currents and hazardous conditions are forecast to arrive along much of the U.S. East Coast by Sunday evening. —

Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA TODAY, 9 Sep. 2023 Lee will create swells that are forecast to reach portions of the Lesser Antilles on Friday and reach the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hispaniola, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Bahamas and Bermuda during the weekend. —

Erin McGarry, NBC News, 8 Sep. 2023

Noun

Taking consensus estimates for individual companies, and combining them to create a forecast for the whole S&P 500, implies a solid 12% earnings growth rate for the next 12 months, Citi says. —

By akane Otani, WSJ, 15 Sep. 2023 The National Weather Service in Cleveland forecasts Friday will be bright and sunny, with a high temperature near 71 degrees. —

Jane Morice | Jmorice@cleveland.com, cleveland, 14 Sep. 2023 The track of the storm as forecast has the center of the storm hundred of miles east of the coastline, but the impacts on the western side can still be notable. —

Dave Epstein, BostonGlobe.com, 14 Sep. 2023 The forecast cone for Lee shows its center potentially making landfall between eastern Maine and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. —

Alex Sundby, CBS News, 14 Sep. 2023 The latest forecast shows Lee's strongest winds staying offshore, so any notable wind impacts will be confined to areas right along the coast. —

Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 14 Sep. 2023 Some market forecasts suggest there will be close to 4 billion USB-C connector sales by 2025 and 19 billion by 2033. —

Shreyas Sen, Fortune, 14 Sep. 2023 Early forecasts show Medicare Part B premiums are expected to increase from $164 to $174 in 2024, although coverage of a new Alzheimer’s drug could push that final figure even higher. —

Leada Gore | Lgore@al.com, al, 13 Sep. 2023 The forecast track shows a major Hurricane Lee north of Puerto Rico by Sunday afternoon but speculates no farther than that. —

Leigh Morgan, al, 5 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forecast.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.