PREDICT Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'predict' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of predict are forecast , foretell , prognosticate , and prophesy . While all these words mean "to tell beforehand," predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature. // astronomers predicted an eclipse

Q: How are the words 'forecast' and 'predict' related?

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

Q: Where would 'foretell' be a reasonable alternative to 'predict'?

While the synonyms foretell and predict are close in meaning, foretell applies to the telling of the coming of a future event by any procedure or any source of information. // seers foretold the calamity

Q: How does the word 'prognosticate' relate to other synonyms for 'predict'?

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

Q: When can 'prophesy' be used instead of 'predict'?

The words prophesy and predict can be used in similar contexts, but prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises. // prophesying a new messiah

predict

verb

pri-ˈdikt

Definition of predict

as in to read

to tell of or describe beforehand I can't even begin to predict what housing prices will be like 30 years from now

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

Some common synonyms of predict are forecast, foretell, prognosticate, and prophesy. While all these words mean "to tell beforehand," predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

How are the words forecast and predict related?

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

forecast snow

Where would foretell be a reasonable alternative to predict?

While the synonyms foretell and predict are close in meaning, 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 does the word prognosticate relate to other synonyms for predict?

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 can prophesy be used instead of predict?

The words prophesy and predict can be used in similar contexts, but 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 predict AlphaFold achieved remarkable accuracy at predicting a protein’s likely three-dimensional structure. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 7 Aug. 2026 Sean Gallup | Getty Images Shares of Airbnb are nearly 8% higher in premarket trading after the company beat analyst expectations on both lines and issued a stronger-than-predicted outlook for the current quarter. — Alex Harring, CNBC, 7 Aug. 2026 The Farmers' Almanac predicts a winter of sharp contrasts for 2026-2027, with varied conditions across the country. — Brandi D. Addison, USA Today, 7 Aug. 2026 That’s even more of a reduction from the agency’s report in May that predicted between eight and 14 storms. — Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predict

Recent Examples of Synonyms for predict

Verb

And her diary entries about her parenting stresses and postpartum issues were read aloud in court.

— Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
Ours can start as one page of a contract, on the least interesting sheet in the agreement, the one nobody reads aloud.

— Jason Snyder, Forbes.com, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of read

Verb

Council members anticipate hearing evidence from an independent investigator and other witnesses, said council member LaKeisha Gantt.

— Reed Williams, AJC.com, 8 Aug. 2026
They were handed over to the authorities by security forces in Ilorin, the capital of Kwara state, on Friday for medical attention and routine checks, and were anticipating their return home to reunite with their families.

— ABC News, ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Definition of anticipate

Verb

At Saul's request, the witch summons what appears to be the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, who foretells Saul's death in battle — raising the question of theodicy, or why an all-powerful God would allow an apparently diabolical act to occur.

— Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 29 July 2026
Annabeth has grown to care for Percy, but like Thalia, his fate is possibly tied to a prophecy that foretells of him destroying or saving Olympus.

— Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026

Definition of foretell

Verb

Rangers manager Skip Schumaker talked about focusing on the moment with Rocker and not trying to prognosticate the future for the former top pick.

— Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Apr. 2026
Traders eager to continue prognosticating what will happen in Iran are in luck—Kalshi has a market on who will be Khamenei’s successor.

— Kate Knibbs, Wired News, 2 Mar. 2026

Definition of prognosticate

Verb

And by lunch, the bloody tableau has been forgotten, right on time for the arrival of Robert Mallory, the new student Susan had warned the others about.

— Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
Eight maritime groups signed a joint open letter to the UN and the International Maritime Organization (IMO) on Monday, warning that introducing tolls could drive up costs for consumers and undermine the principles of free navigation.

— Todd Symons, CNN Money, 6 Aug. 2026

Definition of warn

Verb

Their ’90s output handily presaged the logic of media like the shows that aired on Adult Swim, adapting the bounciness and surrealism of childhood stories to biting adult sensibilities.

— Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 2 Aug. 2026
The backlash to the Barbara decision presages another legal and cultural battle over the meaning of the 14th Amendment and its role in the debate over who is recognized as an American citizen, observers say.

— Scott Baldauf, Christian Science Monitor, 22 July 2026

Definition of presage

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“Predict.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predict. Accessed 10 Aug. 2026.

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