forecast 1 of 2

forecast

2 of 2

verb

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

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 forecast
Noun
This will be the first test of whether the loss of expertise from the cuts and early retirements last week will affect forecast and warning accuracy. Emma Way, Axios, 5 Mar. 2025 The Anderson forecast also cited tariffs’ more indirect consequences. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Snow showers are forecast to start in the mountains between noon and 2 p.m. Monday before arriving in Denver after 10 p.m., NWS forecasters said. Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 3 Mar. 2025 At the six-month point in the current fiscal year, general fund revenue totaled $40.6 million, or about 38 percent of what had been initially budgeted, while expenses were $46.5 million, or about 46 percent of what was forecast for the entire year. Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for forecast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forecast
Verb
  • Oregon, Virginia, Nevada and Louisiana are among the states predicted by the KFF to experience the biggest drop in Medicaid enrolment should the cuts happen, as the map above shows.
    Matt Robison, Newsweek, 25 Feb. 2025
  • In January, the federal agency had predicted a 20% increase.
    Julia Reinstein, ABC News, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Why Solar Cycle 25 is so special Solar Cycle 25 has outperformed predictions and explains why auroras have been seen farther from the Arctic and Antarctic circles.
    Jamie Carter, Space.com, 28 Feb. 2025
  • According to the prediction: Dallas Cowboys RB Raheem Mostert The Cowboys are another team with cap issues, and Jerry Jones' team hasn't been interested in spending much in recent offseasons.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Hallucinations taken as prophecy, destabilized on a middling journey to outpace, to open-chase, to claim supremacy, to reign indefinitely, haste and paste control altering deletion, unstable desire remains undefeated.
    John Werner, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
  • The groundhog made his prediction on Gobbler’s Knob in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and delivered his meteorological prophecy in Groundhogese.
    Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 2 Feb. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Forecast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forecast. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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