Prophetlike

Prophetlike is an adjective used to describe persons, utterances, or works that resemble or evoke the character of a prophet. In theological and literary criticism, a prophetlike figure typically claims or embodies some form of divine inspiration, conveys messages of judgment or guidance, and acts as a social critic or reformer. The term is also used more loosely in secular discourse to describe speakers whose rhetoric is interpreted as authoritative or visionary, even when no religious claim is attached.

The word is formed from prophet and the suffix -like, indicating resemblance. It is a productive neologism in English and occurs more often in analytic writing than in everyday speech. It does not imply actual prophetic status or verifiable revelation.

In religious studies, scholars may describe a biblical, prophetic, or visionary figure as prophetlike when their words or actions center on perceived divine messages, warnings about consequences, or calls for ethical reform. In literature, characters with prophetic insight or oracular authority may be described as prophetlike to signal their function or tone rather than the truth of their statements. In contemporary rhetoric, the label may be used to characterize speakers who present their insights as fate-like or divinely sanctioned.

See also: prophetic, prophecy, oracle, revelation, visionary.