predictable

adjective

Definition of predictablenext
as in expected

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

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 predictable For most home bakers, a 15-ounce can of plain puree remains the cheapest, fastest and most predictable choice. — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 21 Oct. 2026 Cuomo downplayed the wave of objections, framing the pushback as a predictable reaction to a major market shift. — Camila Grigera Naón, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2026 Although modern recreational hot-air ballooning was still in its infancy in the United States, its popularity was soaring, with technological breakthroughs in the 1960s having made the sport safer and more predictable. — Théoden Janes, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026 The film has its share of detractors, too, with some criticizing the film — with its script by Mike Flanagan and Hossein Amini — for being a rather predictable revenge thriller that doesn’t do anything with its Gotham City location. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 21 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predictable
Recent Examples of Synonyms for predictable
  1. expected
  2. familiar
  3. routine
  4. habitual
  5. unremarkable
  6. unexceptional
  7. classic
Adjective
  • Yellowstone spinoff Dutton Ranch has been a huge hit for Paramount+ and the expected Season 2 renewal came with two episodes still to stream of Season 1.
    — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026
  • The expected lockout, and MLB’s insistence on a salary cap in their CBA proposals, have also cast doubt on what the system will look like next year — whenever the season begins.
    — Maddie Lee, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of expected
Adjective
  • Keep your eye on what gives you more freedom, not just what feels familiar.
    — Tarot.com, Hartford Courant, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Because the team that won the 2026 NBA championship weathered a storm that feels all-too familiar in a 0-3 start to their reign as NBA champions this season.
    — Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 27 Oct. 2026
Definition of familiar
Adjective
  • At face value, this sounds like routine news; after all, companies shuffle resources all the time.
    — Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, The Conversation, 28 Oct. 2026
  • Medicare does not pay for routine help either at home or in a facility, and that care is expensive.
    — Kat McGowan, NPR, 28 Oct. 2026
Definition of routine
Adjective
  • Prosecutors say Morgan is also charged as a habitual offender, fourth offense.
    — DeJanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026
  • On the other, evidence suggests this pair of habitual time-wasters were commonly found on the floor, running laughter through a Yamaha SPX90 effects processor for kicks and strumming the same note for 40-odd minutes.
    — Gabriel Szatan, Pitchfork, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of habitual
Adjective
  • Ordinary except, of course, for that time humans punched it, opening the door for the Hera mission to explore the previously unremarkable rocks.
    — Meghan Bartels, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2026
  • Can real transcendence come from sharing physical pleasures with unremarkable people who just happen to live in the same town as you?
    — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of unremarkable
Adjective
  • The portraits in the album—family outings in the countryside, a wedding party, domestic gatherings—are, at first glance, unexceptional, even banal.
    — Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2026
  • If an otherwise unexceptional song on Mount Zero is nearing its conclusion, be prepared for an epilogue where Medlyn or Elphick clicks on the distortion.
    — Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 23 July 2026
Definition of unexceptional
Adjective
  • The collection follows a very classic autumnal color palette, with speckles of burgundy, brown, khaki, and deep greens.
    — Bianca Kratky, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Rooms Standard rooms are classic in look and feel with dark wood furniture and neutral fabrics, yet appointed with modern embellishments such as universal outlets and bedside light controls.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of classic

Browse Nearby Words

predictability
predictable
predicted
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Predictable.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/predictable. Accessed 30 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of reticent

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Pwn, Skibidi, Girlboss and Other Words Added to the 2026 Scrabble Dictionary

The Words of the Week - Oct. 30

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All