predictive

adjective

pre·​dic·​tive pri-ˈdik-tiv 

1

: of, relating to, or usable or valuable for prediction

predictive medical factors

2

: based on or generated by using methods of prediction

predictive models

predictive text

Usually predictive policing refers to feeding reams of city data into a computer and dispatching extra officers to areas that are deemed to be at high risk of future crime.

—Leon Neyfakh

predictively adverb

Like an astrological chart, it can be made to fit any case, and it works better retrospectively than predictively.

—Carol Tavris

Synonyms

• prophetic
• sinister
• prophetical

Examples of predictive in a Sentence

unfortunately, the stock market crash of 1929 turned out to be a predictive event, for the next decade was consumed by the Great Depression

Recent Examples on the Web

Additionally, the use of real-time information will evolve from current-state situational awareness to future-state predictive intelligence. —Mike Hodgkinson, Big Think, 22 Sep. 2025

In fact, there was no predictive power in that whatsoever. —Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025

The finish to a season is scarcely more predictive than the start of the season. —Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 20 Sep. 2025

Food service deals with highly perishable goods, fluctuating demand and tight delivery windows, which demands real-time adaptability and predictive analytics to minimize waste and ensure freshness. —Andre Claudio, Sourcing Journal, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for predictive

• addictive
• constrictive
• restrictive
• vindictive
• fictive
• magnetostrictive