Predicting Definition & Meaning

Choose the Right Synonym for predict

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 predict in a Sentence

All the local forecasters are predicting rain for this afternoon. She claims that she can predict future events. It's hard to predict how the election will turn out. Many people predicted that the store would fail, but it has done very well. Sales are predicted to be the same as last year.

Recent Examples on the Web The other issue is that the effects of using these weapons are very difficult to predict. — Isaac Chotiner, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2022 The Nobels are notoriously difficult to predict, and the thought process behind each selection is shrouded in secrecy. — Kara Fox, CNN, 7 Oct. 2022 Unlike other financial investments and decisions, sports performance can be extremely difficult to predict, Fort said. — Nic Napier And Nadia Scharf, The Indianapolis Star, 23 Sep. 2022 One issue that is difficult to predict, Mr. Sjöberg said, is how an attack on a supplier would affect a company. — Catherine Stupp, WSJ, 23 Sep. 2022 The exact timing is difficult to predict because so many entities have a hand in realignment decisions, from university presidents to conference commissioners to media companies. — oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2022 Quite what its impact will be is difficult to predict. — New York Times, 5 Aug. 2022 Time frames are always difficult to predict around technology adoption. — John Arsneault, Forbes, 4 Aug. 2022 Just how soon Lake Powell could reach elevations where this would become an issue is difficult to predict. — Zak Podmore, The Salt Lake Tribune, 3 Aug. 2022 See More

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