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
Relevance
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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of foreshadowing
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
That was probably apt enough foreshadowing for what was to come.
—
Piet Levy,
jsonline.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Knicks fans have been leaning into the joke, posting TikTok edits foreshadowing Gotham-like anarchy.
—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for foreshadowing
Noun
Think of it as the internet’s version of dramatic foreshadowing.
—
Hanna Wickes,
Kansas City Star,
6 Apr. 2026
That was probably apt enough foreshadowing for what was to come.
—
Piet Levy,
jsonline.com,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
The final photo in the carousel was of an elderly couple standing side by side and looking out at the water, perhaps foreshadowing Lovato and Lutes growing old together.
—
Ashlyn Robinette,
PEOPLE,
11 June 2026
Knicks fans have been leaning into the joke, posting TikTok edits foreshadowing Gotham-like anarchy.
—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for foreshadowing
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foreshadowing
Noun
-
The group, which includes Chrysler, Fiat, Peugeot and Citroen, is becoming a forerunner in the promising progress of a new type of vehicle battery.
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In 2007, the Oatley family opened Qualia, their 30-acre flagship property and the forerunner of Australia’s luxury lodges.
Verb
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In some cases, like in Elk River, local utility companies are predicting positive impacts on utility rates thanks to data centers paying larger bills for services.
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Investors have spent years predicting the demise of expensive technology stocks, housing markets, government bonds, currencies, and entire industries.
Noun
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Just One is a cooperative word game where duplicate hints get eliminated.
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These flavors follow through on the palate with additional elements of savory sandstone, pomegranate, and a hint of salinity.
Verb
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Wells Fargo also kept a buy-equivalent rating and a $1,259-per-share price target, implying around 20% upside from Tuesday's late-session levels.
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The research team also found troubling racial disparities when officers used language reserved for serious suspicions — like phrasing implying commands or accusations — when the reason for the stop was relatively minor.
Noun
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Sea surface temperatures in the Pacific Ocean have topped daily warm records for more than 20 days in June, a precursor to what many scientists expect to be one of the strongest El Niño events on record.
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Today, financial independence is often about knowledge—and career opportunity—as a precursor to power.
Verb
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The agency is anticipating 29 rocket launches and 28 moon landings during the third phase.
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The outdoor restaurants are anticipating a refresh in spring 2026, but in the meantime, the beachside Arrecifes Seafood & Steakhouse remains worthy of a meal.
Noun
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Always alert to mood swings, Hollywood this week is coping with some dauntingly positive portents.
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But there is reason for hope, because the season-one finale of Widow’s Bay is like a beacon in the dark, and all the signs and portents are lining up.
Verb
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By summer 1781, the states had ratified the Articles of Confederation, heralding the new federal government but making no provisions to abolish slavery.
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There has been an outpouring of support on social media for those who stopped to help, heralding their bravery and selflessness.
Cite this Entry
“Foreshadowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreshadowing. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.
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