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 WebThe text and call were two signs that foretold the chaos and violence to come, as officials say the teenager used an assault-style rifle to kill four people – two teachers and two students – before surrendering to police.—Eric Levenson, CNN, 9 Sep. 2024 That’s after the God of Gods wakes up one morning to discover a wrinkle on his forehead and a possible harbinger of an ancient prophecy that foretells Zeus’ destruction.—Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Aug. 2024 The inversion had been wrong only once, in the mid-1960s, and has foretold every retrenchment since.—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 24 July 2024 Believing it to be the harbinger of an ancient prophecy which foretells his destruction, neurosis sets in: Zeus becomes convinced his fall is coming.—Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 28 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for foretell
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foretell.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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