Synonyms of prognosticate

prognosticate

verb

präg-ˈnä-stə-ˌkāt 

as in to predict

to tell of or describe beforehand

using current trends to prognosticate what the workplace of the future will be like

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of prognosticate are forecast, foretell, predict, and prophesy. While all these words mean "to tell beforehand," 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

How are the words forecast and predict related as synonyms of prognosticate?

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 prognosticate?

In some situations, the words foretell and prognosticate are roughly equivalent. However, 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 is it sensible to use predict instead of prognosticate?

The meanings of predict and prognosticate largely overlap; however, predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

Where would prophesy be a reasonable alternative to prognosticate?

While the synonyms prophesy and prognosticate 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 prognosticate

In the midst of the chaos, Bleacher Report's Grant Hughes has offered a brutal prediction as far as Tatum is concerned, prognosticating that the C's will never again win another title with the Duke product as their top option. —Matthew Schmidt, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Aug. 2025

Bank of America Securities analyst Robert Ohmes just downgraded Target from hold to sell, prognosticating another 10-15% share drop. —Noah Barsky, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2025

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

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!