prophesy

1 of 2

verb

proph·​e·​sy ˈprä-fə-ˌsī 

prophesied; prophesying

transitive verb

1

: to utter by or as if by divine inspiration

2

: to predict with assurance or on the basis of mystic knowledge

3

: prefigure

intransitive verb

1

: to speak as if divinely inspired

2

: to give instruction in religious matters : preach

3

: to make a prediction

prophesier

ˈprä-fə-ˌsī(-ə)r 

noun

prophesy

2 of 2

noun

proph·​e·​sy

less common spelling of prophecy

1

: an inspired utterance of a prophet

2

: the function or vocation of a prophet

specifically : the inspired declaration of divine will and purpose

3

: a prediction of something to come

Synonyms of prophesy

Verb

• predict
• read

Choose the Right Synonym for prophesy

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 prophesy in a Sentence

Verb

The book claims that modern events were prophesied in ancient times.

holy men were prophesying the coming of a new messiah

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Big Brother, the surveillance state prophesied by George Orwell, has a new name — Flock. — Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Or, The Covenant, a group prophesied by the Elder Scrolls to end the Daedra Wars. — Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Members might be led by the Holy Spirit to speak in tongues or prophesy, for example, or to dance during worship. — Eythana Miller, The Dial, 23 June 2026

In the Bible the Antichrist is a figure prophesied to oppose Jesus Christ and substitute himself as a false savior before the Second Coming. — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English prophecien, prophesien, borrowed from Middle French prophecier, verbal derivative of phophecie, prophesie prophecy

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for prophesy

• prophecy

Kids Definition

prophesy

verb

proph·​e·​sy ˈpräf-ə-ˌsī 

prophesied; prophesying

1

: to speak or write like a prophet

2

: foretell, predict

prophesier

-ˌsī(-ə)r 

noun