PROPHESY Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

prophesy

verb

ˈprä-fə-ˌsī

Definition of prophesy

as in to predict

to tell of or describe beforehand holy men were prophesying the coming of a new messiah

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

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 prophesy In the Bible the Antichrist is a figure prophesied to oppose Jesus Christ and substitute himself as a false savior before the Second Coming. — Gary Franks, Hartford Courant, 26 Apr. 2026 As prophesied by more than a few analysts along the years, China’s full-hearted embrace of electric vehicles has paid dividends. — Jonathan M. Gitlin, ArsTechnica, 21 Apr. 2026 Hall was raised in large part by a single mother—who, perhaps prophesying her son’s eventual vocation in Hollywood, was named Annie Hall. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 29 Mar. 2026 She’s taken, perversely, with John the Baptist, imprisoned in a cistern and prophesying doom for the decadent, Godless heathens, Salome in particular. — Classical Music Critic, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for prophesy

Recent Examples of Synonyms for prophesy

Verb

Forecasters are predicting that the northeast and Mid-Atlantic will experience similar amounts of flooding as happened during a 2023 El Niño event — a record setting year.

— Ava Berger, NPR, 29 Oct. 2026
The conjecture predicts that for the curve xa = yb, a count of the matrix solutions will always collapse into a Rogers-Ramanujan-type identity.

— Lyndie Chiou, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2026

Definition of predict

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prophesies

prophesy

prophesying

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“Prophesy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prophesy. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of prophesy

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