Synonyms of foretell

foretell

verb

fȯr-ˈtel 

as in to predict

to tell of or describe beforehand

a 16th-century astrologer who, some claim, accurately foretold 20th-century events

Synonyms & Similar Words

• predict
• read
• presage
• anticipate
• prognosticate
• prophesy
• forecast
• augur
• warn
• announce
• foresee
• call
• portend
• promise
• forewarn
• bode
• vaticinate
• alert
• forebode
• declare
• divine
• proclaim
• herald
• caution
• foreknow

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• tell
• describe
• relate
• report
• narrate
• recite
• recount

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of foretell are forecast, predict, prognosticate, and prophesy. While all these words 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

How do forecast and predict relate to one another, in the sense of foretell?

Forecast adds the implication of anticipating eventualities and differs from predict in being usually concerned with probabilities rather than certainties.

forecast snow

In what contexts can predict take the place of foretell?

The words predict and foretell are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

How does the word prognosticate relate to other synonyms for foretell?

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

When is prophesy a more appropriate choice than foretell?

While the synonyms prophesy and foretell 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

Recent Examples of foretell

Todd's second-ever screen role foretold his future prominence, as the taciturn Sgt. —Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Sep. 2025

However, economists caution, the better-than-expected reading could be a sign of a slowing economy and that shrinking businesses’ margins could foretell higher prices for consumers in the near future. —Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 10 Sep. 2025

Every day there are LinkedIn posts, as well as Forbes, NYT, and WSJ articles about the massive capital reallocation by customers and investors to AI from SaaS, foretelling the end of SaaS. —Barry Libert, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

An optimist would read the internal market action in recent weeks as foretelling an early-cycle reacceleration/reflation dynamic setting up. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 8 Sep. 2025