forecast 1 of 2

noun

ˈfȯr-ˌkast How to pronounce forecast (audio)
Definition of forecastnext
as in prediction
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

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forecast

2 of 2

verb

ˈfȯr-ˌkast How to pronounce forecast (audio)
as in to predict
to tell of or describe beforehand the station's meteorologist forecasts sun for the next five days

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
The extreme forecasts have forced singer-songwriter Zach Bryan to cancel his Friday show in Tulsa. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 3 Apr. 2026 Potential large customers would have to sign service and interconnection agreements before they’re included in the utility’s planning forecast. —Judith Kohler, Denver Post, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
The Phoenix area is expected to see an end to recent rainfall, with mostly dry conditions forecasted. —Julie Mendes, AZCentral.com, 1 Apr. 2026 The heaviest snowfall is forecast to hit through Wednesday afternoon into the evening, and on Thursday morning, especially along the Santiam and Willamette Passes. —Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for forecast
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forecast
  1. prediction
  2. predict
  3. predicting
  4. forecasting
Noun
  • The crypto traders first moved on to gold, and then left the precious metal and went to prediction markets.
    — Jim Cramer, CNBC, 29 Mar. 2026
  • The vacation prediction yielded similar results.
    — Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 29 Mar. 2026
Definition of prediction
Verb
  • Overall, Sosnowski predicts that a gradual warmup is forecast in most cases after a cool start to the week.
    — Doyle Rice, USA Today, 4 Apr. 2026
  • Large language models, or LLMs, are trained to predict the next most statistically likely word given everything that came before it, said Zhivar Sourati, a doctoral student at the University of Southern California and first author of the paper.
    — Asuka Koda, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2026
Definition of predict
Noun
  • With the 2025 college football season on the horizon, months of previewing and predicting soon will be in the rearview mirror.
    — Quentin Corpuel, Kansas City Star, 8 Aug. 2025
Definition of predicting
Noun
  • The technology includes creative analysis for scripts and projects, packaging suggestions, as well as market forecasting about how the film will do commercially.
    — Brent Lang, Variety, 30 Mar. 2026
  • The hands-on, immersive experience assisted in honing space weather forecasting activities, not only for Artemis 2 but also the future.
    — Leonard David, Space.com, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of forecasting

Browse Nearby Words

forebodings
forecast
forecaster
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forecast.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forecast. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on forecast

Nglish: Translation of forecast for Spanish Speakers

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