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

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of prophesy

According to Christian eschatology, the Antichrist refers to a person or people prophesied in the bible to oppose Christ and substitute themselves in Christ’s place before the second coming. —Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 23 Feb. 2024

Zuma, in turn, prophesied that Malema would one day become president. —Erin Conway-Smith, Foreign Affairs, 7 May 2019

There, on March 15, 1990, hundreds of followers waited for the nuclear strike that Elizabeth had prophesied in a series of increasingly impassioned public addresses over the course of several years. —Emily Harnett, Harper's Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024

Luke Skywalker was prophesied to destroy the Sith and bring balance to the force. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 4 May 2024