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forecast

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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
What's in the weather forecast for week 3 of Greater Cincinnati's high school football calendar? Haadiza Ogwude, Cincinnati Enquirer, 5 Sep. 2025 The index trades at 22 times analysts’ average earnings forecast for the next 12 months. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 31 Aug. 2025
Verb
In a court filing in December, Spirit forecast a net profit of $252 million this year. Leslie Josephs, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025 Temperature are forecast to fall to as low as 32F in Marathon, Langlade, Lincoln, Oneida, Vilas, Forest, Clark and Taylor counties. Matthew Robinson, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forecast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forecast
Noun
  • Rather than preparing markets for a manageable transition, the president has chosen to use apocalyptic warnings as a judicial pressure campaign—ensuring that when the bill comes due, the economic shock will be amplified by his own dire predictions.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025
  • The Today with Jenna & Friends Instagram account reposted the prediction clip shortly after the couple's engagement news broke.
    Rachel McRady, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Bregman has been a key player for the team, but FanSided's Chris Landers predicts Bregman will not be back on the Red Sox next year.
    Aaliyan Mohammed, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 Sep. 2025
  • Only 1 in 5 doctors accurately predicted their patients’ out-of-pocket costs, according to a 2021 JAMA investigation.
    Dr. Jill Grimes, CNN Money, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • With the 2025 college football season on the horizon, months of previewing and predicting soon will be in the rearview mirror.
    Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • The commercial weather forecasting service estimates that temperatures could rise 15 to 20 degrees above seasonal norms, with some inland areas likely reaching or surpassing readings of 100 degrees.
    Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
  • Tools that were initially adopted to automate workflows can provide the clean, structured and timely data required for forecasting and modeling.
    Suresh Kannan, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • By an almost impossible conceptual leap, the distant myth of the poem becomes a foreshadowing and a prophecy of events that were, from Virgil’s own historical vantage point, already in the past.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2025
  • While there, Ruth discussed prophecies and the end of the world.
    Saleen Martin, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forecast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forecast. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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