Forewarning: meaning, definitions and examples

Forewarning is used when someone gives a notice or alert about a potential danger or problem. It is often seen in contexts where people are warned to be cautious.

• The weather service issued a forewarning about the incoming hurricane.
• Her forewarning about the potential for fraud saved the company a lot of trouble.

Premonition is used when someone has a strong feeling or sense that something, usually bad, is going to happen. It often suggests an intuitive or psychic sense of foreboding.

• He had a premonition that something terrible was about to happen.
• She couldn't shake off the premonition of danger, even though everything seemed fine.

Foreshadowing is used in literature or storytelling to hint at events that will occur later in the narrative. It sets up expectations and builds suspense.

• The dark storm clouds in the first chapter were a classic foreshadowing of the turmoil to come.
• Her early struggles foreshadowed the greater challenges she would face later in her journey.

Prediction is used when making an educated guess about the future based on data, trends, or intuition. It is often used in scientific, economic, or everyday contexts.

• The economists made a prediction about the growth of the economy in the next quarter.
• She made a prediction that it would rain, based on the dark clouds gathering in the sky.

Premonitory is used to describe something that serves as a warning or indicates a bad event in the future. It is more formal and often used in medical or scientific contexts.

• She experienced premonitory symptoms that hinted at the onset of the illness.
• The scientist noted the premonitory signs of the impending natural disaster.

Used when you want to give someone an advance notice of something that is going to happen, usually something bad.

• She gave him a forewarning about the upcoming storm.
• I appreciate the forewarning about the traffic jam.

Similar to 'forewarning', but often implies a more casual or less formal notification about something that might happen.

• She prewarned her colleagues about the upcoming inspection.
• He prewarned his guests that the party might run late.

Used when you want to advise someone to be careful and avoid potential danger or problems.

• The warning sign cautioned hikers about the steep trail ahead.
• He cautioned his friend against making hasty decisions.

Used when predicting or telling the future, often in a mystical or supernatural context.

• The fortune teller claimed she could foretell my future.
• Legends say the oracle could foretell the fate of empires.

Used when forecasting a future event based on observation, analysis, or data.

• Scientists predict significant climate changes in the coming decade.
• Economists predict a rise in inflation next year.