Foretell (Verb)
Meaning 1
Foreshadow or presage.
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The old sage's words seemed to foretell the coming disaster that would soon ravage the land.
- The ancient prophecy foretold the arrival of a great leader who would bring peace to the warring nations.
- The eerie howling wind appeared to foretell the impending storm that was about to unleash its fury.
- The dying man's last words seemed to foretell the unexpected betrayal that would soon shake the entire kingdom.
- The comet's unusual trajectory foretold a catastrophic event that would alter the course of human history.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 2
Indicate, as with a sign or an omen; "These signs bode bad news".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The wise old man's words seemed to foretell an impending disaster, one that would change the course of their lives forever.
- The signs in the stars foretold of a catastrophic event that would soon engulf the entire city.
- The eerie howling of the wind foretold a night of darkness and terror for the lonely traveler.
- The strange occurrences in the abandoned house seemed to foretell the return of a malevolent spirit.
- The prophecy foretold a great battle between good and evil, one that would decide the fate of the world.
Synonyms
- Omen
- Augur
- Predict
- Portend
- Prefigure
- Auspicate
- Bode
- Betoken
- Presage
- Prognosticate
- Forecast
- Foreshadow
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Meaning 3
Make a prediction about; tell in advance; "Call the outcome of an election".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The ancient Greek Oracle was believed to foretell the future of those who sought her counsel.
- Using satellite imaging and computer simulations, scientists can foretell the trajectory of a hurricane with surprising accuracy.
- A popular news magazine attempted to foretell the outcome of the presidential election, but their predictions were proven wrong.
- Astrologers claim to foretell a person's destiny based on the positions of the stars and planets at birth.
- Some people believe that reading tea leaves can foretell one's future, but this practice is not supported by scientific evidence.