foretell
verb (used with object)
to tell of beforehand; predict; prophesy.
foretold
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past participleof foretell.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof foretell.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
foretellverb (used with object)to tell of beforehand; predict; prophesy.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And what the ill-fated project foretold about today’s entertainment culture is almost as cringey as watching Simpson try to rebuild his brand.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 2, 2026
When the Fed eased after a market rout, it was usually reacting to what the decline foretold.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 23, 2026
An angel is thought to have foretold his birth to St Patrick, 30 years before it happened - although the exact date is believed to be some time between 462 and 515 AD.
From BBC ● Mar. 1, 2026
Life imitated art when, in 2019, Van Der Beek fulfilled the prophecy foretold by a “Don’t Trust the B—” storyline and became a contestant on “Dancing With the Stars.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2026
As Gwydion had foretold, the rest of the morning brought many new arrivals.
From "The Black Cauldron" by Lloyd Alexander
