soothsaying

[sooth-sey-ing]

noun

1. the practice or art of foretelling events.

2. a prediction or prophecy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of soothsaying¹

First recorded in 1525–35; sooth + saying

Example Sentences

Not thankful: All the hand-wringing and apocalyptic soothsaying about how artificial intelligence is a Pandora’s box that will steal our jobs and ultimately spell our doom.

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“Go ahead with your singing and soothsaying, folks,” Old Timothy said.

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“First—and I mean no disrespect to her soothsaying abilities—but I feel it is far from certain that Madame Ionesco will truly be able to summon the shade of Edward Ashton. Do you agree?”

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Such soothsaying is of little comfort, however, to those who can see the reality of the country’s worsening democracy crisis and the deep cultural and institutional failings that have created it.

Read more on Salon

He was also a savvy entrepreneur and fabulist who, despite being illiterate and shunned by the Catholic Church, carved out a life soothsaying and healing ailing neighbors.

Read more on New York Times