【Foretell】 , 【predict】 ,  【forecast】 ,  【prophesy】 ,  【prognosticate】 ,  【augur】 ,  【presage】 ,  【portend】 ,  【forebode】  are comparable when meaning to tell something before it happens through special knowledge or occult power.

【Foretell】  and  【predict】  are frequently interchangeable, but  【foretell】 stresses the announcement of coming events and does not, apart from a context, indicate the nature of the agent′s power or the source of his information.

【Predict】 commonly implies inference from facts or accepted laws of nature; it often connotes scientific accuracy in foretelling.

【Forecast】 may occasionally imply taking forethought of the future (as by anticipation, conjecture of possible eventualities, and provision for one′s needs).

More often it implies prediction, but it still retains the implication of anticipated eventualities.

【Prophesy】 either connotes inspired or mystic knowledge or implies great assurance in prediction.

【Prognosticate】 implies prediction based upon signs or symptoms.

【Prognosticate】 and the following words also are comparable in the related sense of to betoken or foreshow future events or conditions.

【Augur】 implies a divining or a foreshadowing of something pleasant or unpleasant often through interpretation of omens or signs.

【Presage】  and  【portend】  more often imply foreshowing than foretelling, though both senses are found. Both also typically suggest occult power or an ability to interpret signs and omens as a basis for prediction, but  【presage】  may be used of neutral or of favorable as well as unfavorable prognostications, whereas  【portend】 regularly suggests a threat of evil or disaster.

【Forebode】  implies unfavorable prognostication based especially upon premonitions, presentiments, or dreams <oppressed by a foreboding of evil>