foretell
See what's coming
Foretell means to predict or prophesy something before it happens.
It carries a slightly archaic or literary flavor, often appearing in contexts involving prophecy, omens, or supernatural knowledge: The oracle foretold the king's downfall.
Unlike simple prediction, foretell suggests authoritative knowledge of future events rather than educated guessing.
Signs and portents can also foretell: Dark clouds foretold the coming storm.
Foretelling of future events
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
- seerOne who envisions futures
- soothsayerOne who predicts futures
- clairvoyanceExtrasensory perception ability
augury · tarot · astrology · scrying · palmistry · runes · crystal ball · medium
Foretell future events
- prophesyPredict through revelation
- anticipateExpect beforehand
- projectPlanned, effortful task
- extrapolateExtend known data outward
presage · augur · prefigure · envision · estimate · conjecture · speculate · prognostication
Authoritative wisdom source
- sibylAncient female prophet
- CassandraIgnored prophet of doom
- NostradamusRenaissance physician-prophet from France
- TiresiasSightless oracle of Thebes
Delphi · seer · prophetess · visionary · wise woman · shaman · druid · oracle bones
Sign of future calamity
- harbingerOne who foreshadows
- presageIndicate beforehand
- signMark conveying information
- warningAlert about danger
foreshadowing · premonition · foreboding · auspice · herald · forewarning · boding · augury
prophecy
Foretelling of future events
- oracleAuthoritative wisdom source
- seerOne who envisions futures
- soothsayerOne who predicts futures
clairvoyance · augury · tarot · astrology · scrying · palmistry · runes · crystal ball · medium · psychic
prognosticate
Foretell future events
- prophesyPredict through revelation
- anticipateExpect beforehand
- projectPlanned, effortful task
extrapolate · presage · augur · prefigure · envision · estimate · conjecture · speculate · prognostication · precognition
oracle
Authoritative wisdom source
- sibylAncient female prophet
- CassandraIgnored prophet of doom
- NostradamusRenaissance physician-prophet from France
Tiresias · Delphi · seer · prophetess · visionary · wise woman · shaman · druid · oracle bones · Delphic
portent
Sign of future calamity
warning · foreshadowing · premonition · foreboding · auspice · herald · forewarning · boding · augury · token