predict

verb

pre·​dict pri-ˈdikt How to pronounce predict (audio)
predicted; predicting; predicts

transitive verb

: to declare or indicate in advance
especially : foretell on the basis of observation, experience, or scientific reason
predictor noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
If Reddit achieves profitability in 2025, as Nowak predicts, the company could be on the path for inclusion into an S & P index, the analyst said. Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024 The same report highlights that by integrating AI to predict equipment failures and automate routine quality control checks, enterprises have reported a 40% reduction in downtime and an almost 15% increase in overall productivity. Dean Debiase, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024 Ampere predicted just under a third of the subs growth will come from APAC – numbering around 600 million people – a similar figure to North America. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Dec. 2024 And then — just as my colleague Joe Reid predicted — Kate Winslet for Lee, a biopic that has enjoyed a muted reception since debuting at last year’s TIFF. Jen Chaney, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for predict 

Word History

Etymology

Latin praedictus, past participle of praedicere, from prae- pre- + dicere to say — more at diction

First Known Use

1590, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of predict was in 1590

Dictionary Entries Near predict

Cite this Entry

“Predict.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predict. Accessed 13 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

predict

verb
pre·​dict pri-ˈdikt How to pronounce predict (audio)
: to declare in advance : foretell on the basis of observation, experience, or reasoning
predictable adjective
predictably
-blē
adverb
Etymology

from Latin praedictus, past participle of praedicere "to predict, tell ahead of time," from prae- "pre-, earlier than, before" and dicere "to say" — related to dictate

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