forecast 1 of 2

forecast

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word forecast different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of forecast are foretell, predict, prognosticate, and prophesy. While all these words mean "to tell beforehand," forecast adds the implication of anticipating eventualities and differs from predict in being usually concerned with probabilities rather than certainties.

forecast snow

When can foretell be used instead of forecast?

The words foretell and forecast can be used in similar contexts, but foretell applies to the telling of the coming of a future event by any procedure or any source of information.

seers foretold the calamity

When could predict be used to replace forecast?

The synonyms predict and forecast are sometimes interchangeable, but predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

How is prognosticate related to other words for forecast?

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

Where would prophesy be a reasonable alternative to forecast?

While the synonyms prophesy and forecast are close in meaning, prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises.

prophesying a new messiah

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of forecast
Noun
Illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. Gabe Hauari, IndyStar, 19 Aug. 2025 Tuesday’s forecast includes showers all day and isolated thunderstorms. Garfield Hylton, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
Additional rainfall of up to 6 inches is forecast over the Turks and Caicos and the eastern Bahamas through Tuesday. Jade Walker, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2025 For those looking to escape the heat, here are five destinations within a four-hour drive of Sacramento that are forecast to have cooler temperatures this weekend. Angela Rodriguez, Sacbee.com, 18 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forecast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forecast
Noun
  • The inflation predictions follow actual inflation closely, but the blue line (predicted inflation) is known three months before the red line (actual inflation) is determined, which may serve as a useful warning of major inflation shifts.
    William Dunkelberg, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
  • This prediction almost proved disastrously far from the truth.
    Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In his 53-man roster projection for the Chargers, Popper predicts Los Angeles to keep six receivers, but Rice is not one of them.
    Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Aug. 2025
  • My predicted four drivers in their place were Chris Buescher, Ty Gibbs, Michael McDowell and Brad Keselowski (Bianchi had Kyle Busch instead of Keselowski).
    Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • To pull, to call back your citizenry identity, a patchwork, a prophecy.
    Anne Waldman August 14, Literary Hub, 14 Aug. 2025
  • This story, which took a decade to bring to the small screen, begins with a prophecy.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 1 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forecast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forecast. Accessed 28 Aug. 2025.

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