foretell

verb

fore·​tell fȯr-ˈtel 

foretold fȯr-ˈtōld  ; foretelling

transitive verb

: to tell beforehand : predict

foreteller noun

Synonyms of foretell

• predict

Choose the Right Synonym for foretell

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 foretell in a Sentence

We cannot foretell the future.

a 16th-century astrologer who, some claim, accurately foretold 20th-century events

Recent Examples on the Web

What that film didn’t foretell was the Pakistani-American director’s fluent command of dizzy action setpieces. — Guy Lodge, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026

That night foretold a scenario that has kept repeating itself, which has revealed a clear dysfunction between the tournament’s schedule and the nature of tennis in 2026. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026

Ned Davis Research chief global strategist Tim Hayes also maintains a Secular Bear Watch model meant to foretell equity ice ages. — Michael Santoli, CNBC, 10 Aug. 2026

The stitched panels foretell Helaena's own suicide and depict Rhaenyra still clinging to the Iron Throne, powerful but brutal. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foretell

• bagatelle
• calomel
• caravel
• carousel
• carrousel
• citadel
• clientele
• commonweal
• coronel
• decibel
• demoiselle
• fontanelle

Kids Definition

foretell

verb

fore·​tell fōr-ˈtel 

fȯr-

foretold -ˈtōld  ; foretelling

: to tell of or describe beforehand

foreteller noun