Synonyms of forecast

forecast 1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯr-ˌkast 

as in forecasting

a declaration that something will happen in the future

want to catch the weather forecast so I'll know what kind of clothes to pack for the trip tomorrow

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forecasting
• prediction
• predicting
• prophecy
• prognosis
• prophesy
• prognostication
• prognostic
• cast
• anticipation
• prognosticating
• soothsaying
• foretelling
• sign
• augury
• presaging
• auguring
• vaticination
• bodement
• prospectus
• prevision
• omen
• harbinger
• portent
• foreknowledge
• guess
• foreboding
• conjecture
• foresight
• surmise

forecast

2 of 2

verb

ˈfȯr-ˌkast 

as in to predict

to tell of or describe beforehand

the station's meteorologist forecasts sun for the next five days

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

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

The words foretell and forecast 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 could predict be used to replace forecast?

The synonyms predict and forecast are sometimes interchangeable, but predict commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature.

astronomers predicted an eclipse

How is prognosticate related to other words for forecast?

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

Where would prophesy be a reasonable alternative to forecast?

While the synonyms prophesy and forecast 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 forecast

Noun

Retail sales across the U.S. rose a modest 0.2% in February, missing forecasts amid fears that the economy is slowing, new government data shows. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2025

The Storm Prediction Center -- one of several entities housed at the National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma -- issues severe weather forecasts across the nation and identifies threat zones where dangerous thunderstorms and tornadoes could move through days in advance. —Maryalice Parks, ABC News, 17 Mar. 2025

Verb

Most analysts are not forecasting a recession for now, though the chances of one happening in the U.S. are higher compared with estimates from last year, as Alec Kersman, managing director and head of Asia-Pacific at Pimco, noted at CNBC’s CONVERGE LIVE in Singapore. —Yeo Boon Ping, CNBC, 13 Mar. 2025

Phoenix home prices are about 10% lower than at their 2022 peak, and Zillow is forecasting only a modest 1% value increase this year. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 13 Mar. 2025