Synonyms of foreshadowing

foreshadowing 1 of 2

noun

fȯr-ˈsha-də-wiŋ 

as in forerunner

something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event

the hero's strange encounter with a grave digger is often seen as a foreshadowing of his own death

Synonyms & Similar Words

• forerunner
• hint
• precursor
• portent
• prediction
• omen
• foreboding
• presage
• suggestion
• herald
• prefiguring
• augury
• prophecy
• boding
• harbinger
• straw in the wind
• inkling
• foretaste
• badge
• forewarning
• auspice
• intimation
• forecast
• foretelling
• prognostication
• token
• divination
• mark
• note

foreshadowing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of foreshadow

as in predicting

to give a slight indication of beforehand

a series of small tremors that foreshadowed the massive earthquake the next day

Synonyms & Similar Words

• predicting
• prefiguring
• implying
• adumbrating
• anticipating
• heralding
• forerunning
• foreseeing
• foretelling
• harbingering
• suggesting
• prophesying
• forecasting
• foreknowing
• presaging
• forewarning
• prognosticating
• hinting
• foreboding
• portending
• alluding
• boding
• intimating
• promising
• auguring
• connoting
• insinuating

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of foreshadowing

Noun

The late-May timing of the FISU announcement could serve as consequential foreshadowing of the International Skating Union’s (ISU) annual congress. — Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Could that be some foreshadowing for later on in the episode if either of them have to make fire? — Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 20 May 2026

Verb

In May, Brink told Footwear News that the P400 Low was well-equipped for her style of play and that the 740 was one of her favorite off-duty shoes — perhaps foreshadowing the Malibu Melt pack that was to come. — Riley Jones, Footwear News, 25 July 2026

The word also refers, indirectly, to the story itself, foreshadowing the twists and turns to come. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 July 2026