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
• forbode

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

Wright’s childhood nursery was decorated with engravings of English cathedrals 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, 21 May 2025

Sam Altman, Jeff Bezos, Sundar Pichai, and other tech barons like to prophesy a future in which AI cures cancer and makes everyone prosperous. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2025

So Far The 200 Greatest Singers of All Time But nothing sums up their experience of this past year quite like Metamorphosis’ title track, a song where the band practically prophesied the next chapter of their career. —Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 20 Mar. 2025

O'Neill and Beausoleil both think Bugliosi's theory about Manson wanting a race war is bunk According to Bugliosi, Kay, and Helter Skelter's narrative, Manson used popular music and the Book of Revelations to prophesy a war between the Black and white races. —Randall Colburn, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2025