Definition of PROGNOSTICATE

Other Words from prognosticate

prognosticative \präg-ˈnä-stə-ˌkā-tiv

\ adjective

prognosticator \präg-ˈnä-stə-ˌkā-tər

\ noun

Choose the Right Synonym for prognosticate

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

Did You Know?

Prognosticate, which comes from the Greek prognōstikos (foretelling), first appeared in English during the 15th century. Since that time, prognosticate has been connected with things that give omens or warnings of events to come and with people who can prophesy or predict the future by such signs. Shakespeare used the prophesy sense of prognosticate in the sonnet that begins Not from the stars do I my judgement pluck:

"From thine eyes my knowledge I derive,
And constant stars in them I read such art
...of thee this I prognosticate,
Thy end is truth's and beauty's doom and date."

Examples of prognosticate in a Sentence

using current trends to prognosticate what the workplace of the future will be like

Recent Examples on the Web

When the zoo's most recent groundhog, Wynter, died in 2017, polar bear Snow Lilly performed the duties normally handled by a prognosticating rodent this past February. — Meg Jones, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Awwww! Milwaukee zoo announces arrival of adorable baby groundhog. And he loves broccoli.," 24 June 2018 Of course, prognosticating anyone’s future is a fool’s errand in the current administration, but looking at which Cabinet secretaries have been fired and why could provide a guide to Pruitt’s fortunes under Trump. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "Why Trump would really, really rather not fire Scott Pruitt," 15 June 2018 According to the Free Press' prognosticating pair, the Cubs will take the division, but the rest is up in the air. — Dana Sulonen, Detroit Free Press, "MLB predictions: Choosing league winners, postseason teams and awards," 27 Mar. 2018 No one is really good at prognosticating—in the media or elsewhere—at least not for very long. — Jim Impoco, Newsweek, "The Beatles Suck. Yeah, We Said That," 3 Feb. 2014 This kind of information allows for better prognosticating their future production. — Jared Diamond, WSJ, "In a Tepid Free-Agent Market, Baseball Teams Still Need Relief," 5 Mar. 2018 Everyone seems to have an opinion: The National Restaurant Association surveyed more than 700 chefs and released its food forecast, the Food Network Kitchen's prognosticators prognosticated, and even hotels got in on the prediction action. — Katherine Lagrave, Condé Nast Traveler, "Food Trends: What You'll Be Eating in 2018," 12 Dec. 2017 Nevertheless, faith in Tom Brady at home remains a near-absolute in my prognosticating canon. — Greg Cote, miamiherald, "Top game, big upset lead our parade of NFL Week 8 picks | Miami Herald," 26 Oct. 2017 That called for some elasticity of mind, some willingness to view this new circumstance with a measure of charity and receptivity – a determination to watch and listen rather than pronounce and prognosticate. — Barton Swaim, Twin Cities, "Barton Swaim: Why bother with an open mind?," 25 May 2017

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