forebode
verb
fore·bode
(ˌ)fȯr-ˈbōd 
variants
or less commonly forbode
foreboded also forboded; foreboding also forboding; forebodes also forbodes
1
: to have an inward conviction of (something, such as a coming ill or misfortune)
… she looked eagerly in his face, not quick to forebode evil, but unavoidably conscious that the state of the family had changed …—
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Nathaniel Hawthorne
foreboder
noun
Examples of forebode in a Sentence
the dry summer doesn't forebode well for the harvest
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite the seemingly sweet resolution to their storyline (and an ostensibly upbeat last line of dialogue), there’s a strange undercurrent to the Nagisa and Natsuo segment that suggests foreboding as much as potential happiness — a mysterious tension befitting the creator that Miyake is adapting.
—Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2025
With the third season of The White Lotus well underway—and its signature sense of foreboding steadily mounting—cast member Michelle Monaghan was in anything but ominous spirits last night at The Mark Hotel.
—Laura Neilson, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
Too on-the-nose to be foreboding, such clips offer a window into Linda’s mindset, as do antagonistic sessions with her therapist (and co-worker), amusingly played by Conan O’Brien with a look of constant gastric discomfort on his face that suggests her concerns may be giving him ulcers.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Musically, buoyant dance-pop and explosive love-centric choruses took the place of Rated R’s penchant for foreboding rock ‘n’ roll.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forebode
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2025
With the third season of The White Lotus well underway—and its signature sense of foreboding steadily mounting—cast member Michelle Monaghan was in anything but ominous spirits last night at The Mark Hotel.
—Laura Neilson, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025
Too on-the-nose to be foreboding, such clips offer a window into Linda’s mindset, as do antagonistic sessions with her therapist (and co-worker), amusingly played by Conan O’Brien with a look of constant gastric discomfort on his face that suggests her concerns may be giving him ulcers.
—Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025
Musically, buoyant dance-pop and explosive love-centric choruses took the place of Rated R’s penchant for foreboding rock ‘n’ roll.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for forebode
Cite this Entry
“Forebode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forebode. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share