prophesy

verb

proph·e·sy | \ ˈprä-fə-ˌsī

prophesied; prophesying

Definition of prophesy

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

Other Words from prophesy Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym Example Sentences Learn More about prophesy

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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

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

Not since Edmond Halley prophesied the appearance of his namesake comet had a scientific prediction come true so spectacularly. — Devin Powell, Discover Magazine, "How the 1919 Solar Eclipse Made Einstein the World's Most Famous Scientist," 24 May 2019 One of them is prophesied to be the Dragon Reborn, a being who will either save or destroy humanity. — Christian Holub, EW.com, "Rosamund Pike to star as Moiraine in Amazon's The Wheel of Time series," 19 June 2019 Azor Ahai is an ancient legendary hero in the religion of R'hllor—or the Lord of the Light—who is prophesied to be reincarnated. — Abby Gardner, Glamour, "Is Arya Stark Actually Azor Ahai, the Prince That Was Promised, on Game of Thrones?," 29 Apr. 2019 The process is prophesied to begin at the Mount of Olives, just beyond the eastern wall of Jerusalem’s Old City. — Josefin Dolsten, sun-sentinel.com, "Why some American Jews pay more than $20,000 to get buried in Israel," 11 June 2019 The Suidlanders believe van Rensburg prophesied a war that would be both the beginning of a marauding massacre of whites in South Africa and the clarion signal of a World War III. — James Pogue, Harper's magazine, "The Myth of White Genocide," 10 June 2019 Late last year, it was prophesied that bootcut jeans would return in 2019. — Vogue, "Logo Shoes Are the Latest Aughts Fashion Revival," 19 Apr. 2019 Maggy prophesied that Cersei would marry the king and have three children, who would all die. — Christopher Rosa, Glamour, "This New Game of Thrones Theory Predicts How Cersei Will Die," 19 Apr. 2019 And many of your responses about the outcome of my dilemma prophesied it. — Nicole Saunders, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kim Kardashian Offers to Pay Five Years of Rent for a Former Inmate Yet He Was Denied a Home," 18 Mar. 2019

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