Synonyms of prophesy

prophesy

verb

ˈprä-fə-ˌsī 

as in to predict

to tell of or describe beforehand

holy men were prophesying the coming of a new messiah

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of prophesy are forecast, foretell, predict, and prognosticate. While all these words mean "to tell beforehand," prophesy connotes inspired or mystic knowledge of the future especially as the fulfilling of divine threats or promises.

prophesying a new messiah

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

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

forecast snow

When is foretell a more appropriate choice than prophesy?

The words foretell and prophesy can be used in similar contexts, but 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 can predict be used instead of prophesy?

The meanings of predict and prophesy largely overlap; however, 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 prophesy?

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of prophesy

In his autobiography, Wright discusses how his mother prophesied his future as an architect, decorating his nursery with buildings to encourage this development. —Carrie Hojnicki, Architectural Digest, 20 Feb. 2026

People were told that artificial intelligence was the final asteroid in the extinction event prophesied by Trevor Horn, and further told that generative models and algorithmic composition would democratize creation until value ceased to exist. —William Jones, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026

One day, his dad, Brian (Palin), shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and alchemy to create Homunculi – magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025

The Houthis are led by a family of clerical megalomaniacs who have been prophesying apocalyptic war since the early 2000s. —Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 2 Sep. 2025