predictive

adjective

pre·​dic·​tive pri-ˈdik-tiv How to pronounce predictive (audio)
Synonyms of predictivenext
1
: of, relating to, or usable or valuable for prediction
predictive medical factors
2
: based on or generated by using methods of prediction
predictive models
predictive text
Usually predictive policing refers to feeding reams of city data into a computer and dispatching extra officers to areas that are deemed to be at high risk of future crime.Leon Neyfakh
predictively adverb
Like an astrological chart, it can be made to fit any case, and it works better retrospectively than predictively. Carol Tavris

Examples of predictive in a Sentence

unfortunately, the stock market crash of 1929 turned out to be a predictive event, for the next decade was consumed by the Great Depression
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Finance can also use AI to improve forecasting—and to develop predictive forecasts—not only by generating new scenarios but simulating them, too, Mittal says. NBC news, 1 Apr. 2026 This level includes core ticket management functions, such as automatic agent assignments, knowledge base creation, reports, user surveys, and various conversational, predictive, and generative AI features (under the Zia branding). John Brandon, PC Magazine, 31 Mar. 2026 The elephant in the room Many journalists are embracing the data even as their news outlets run stories about concerns over insider trading in predictive markets. Parker Bach, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026 Compounding these challenges is the rapid integration of artificial intelligence into clinical practice across diagnostics, documentation and predictive tools. Sreedhar Potarazu, Baltimore Sun, 30 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for predictive

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of predictive was in 1637

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Predictive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/predictive. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on predictive

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster