predict

Synonym Chooser

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 At the time, King predicted that the cloud hat would become an instant classic. Erin Clack, People.com, 23 Aug. 2025 Although Rozenberg predicts the color will resemble more of a strawberry blond than an amber or orange. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Aug. 2025 McNeil predicts a seven- to eight-fold increase in harbor barge traffic in the coming years. Arkansas Online, 22 Aug. 2025 This data turns us all into numerical grist for the mathematical mill, allowing the powers that be to predict, optimize, and profit with unprecedented scale and success. Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for predict
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predict
Verb
  • Keep reading for the very best K-dramas to stream right now on Netflix.
    Griff Griffin, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
  • While the genre certainly isn't new, romance reading as an activity appears to have come out of the closet.
    Jim Higgins, jsonline.com, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The investment in anticipating problems eliminates the need to solve them reactively.
    Tarun Galagali, Forbes.com, 24 Aug. 2025
  • On Friday, after both Crushers GC and Smash GC advanced to the semifinals, fans anticipated a thrilling singles showdown between the two captains. Koepka, who named himself Smash's No. 1 singles player, seemed ready.
    Devlina Sarkar, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • The overall unemployment rate of 4.2% continued to hover near a historically low level, but unemployment rose among Black workers, which can foretell job losses among other groups.
    Max Zahn, ABC News, 6 Aug. 2025
  • When Pharaoh ordered all of the newborn males of his kingdom and surrounding area to be killed, as explained in the Book of Exodus, his trusted advisors warned him of a foretelling prophecy in the stars that a newborn Hebrew male would stifle the power of Pharaoh.
    Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
Verb
  • Hurricane Erin is forecast to churn off the East Coast for the next several days.
    Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2025
  • This year and next, capital spending on development and exploration, is forecast to be running at $11 billion before slipping back to $10 billion annually for the outer years.
    Tim Treadgold, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Officials warned the road – known to flood even during seasonal high tides – could be impassable for days.
    Dinah Voyles Pulver, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2025
  • The bill in early March drew a significant fiscal note, which warned the costs of the legislation were hard to determine but the state could lose more than $1 billion in federal funding over the measure.
    Vivian Jones, The Tennessean, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • But our sorry showing in the early rounds undercuts any claim to prognosticating success.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Most other publications didn’t even bother prognosticating.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • First of course, there was the book, though that certainly didn’t help with Jonathan Livingston Seagull (whose financial flight was presaged at Frank’s grand-premiere press conference when Jonathan relieved himself in Frank’s hand).
    Andrew Tobias, Vulture, 7 July 2025
  • That may presage strikes on hardened targets in Yemen but may equally be a signal to Iran.
    Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 6 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • While the stock market soared to historic highs this week, the latest report from the consumer price index showed the cost of some everyday goods is climbing and the Federal Reserve announced that, across the board, inflation was unchanged.
    Grace Miserocchi, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2025
  • Six months after the launch of the Pixel 8, the AI-smartphone, Apple announced its plans at it 2024 Worldwide Îeveloper Conference.
    Ewan Spence, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

More from Merriam-Webster on predict

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!