prophesy

verb

ˈprä-fə-ˌsī How to pronounce prophesy (audio)
Definition of prophesynext
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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 Biden’s actions kicked off a yearslong border crisis which melted down the emergency resources of border towns and caused New York’s mayor to prophesy the destruction of his city’s finances. —The Editors, National Review, 4 Mar. 2025 Speaking of prophesying, faith is big in the Hurts household, and the NFL star speaks about it publicly. —Essence, 19 Feb. 2025 Few things are as reliable in prophesying a fall from grace as 30 Under 30. —George Pendle, airmail.news, 5 Oct. 2024 The dystopian future of autonomous weapons prophesied by films like Slaughterbots is all but here, in Ukraine. —Bryan Walsh, Vox, 7 Dec. 2018 See All Example Sentences for prophesy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for prophesy
  1. predict
  2. read
Verb
  • Analysts predict earnings of $0.72 per share with sales of $11.17 billion for the forthcoming report, compared to sales of $11.23 billion and earnings of $0.72 per share for the same quarter the previous year.
    — Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
  • No one predicted that diminutive quarterback Dillon Gabriel would go in the top 100 picks, but the Browns selected the Oregon passer at No. 94 Friday night.
    — Zac Jackson, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025
Definition of predict
Verb
  • Keep reading for a deep dive into Bezos’s splashy property portfolio.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2025
  • Please read Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options at https://www.theocc.com/company-information/documents-and-archives/options-disclosure-document.
    — JJ Kinahan, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Definition of read

Browse Nearby Words

prophesies
prophesy
prophesying
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Cite this Entry

“Prophesy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/prophesy. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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Nglish: Translation of prophesy for Spanish Speakers

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