foreboding

1 of 2

noun

fore·​bod·​ing (ˌ)fȯr-ˈbō-diŋ 

: the act of one who forebodes

also : an omen, prediction, or presentiment especially of coming evil : portent

It seems that her forebodings were justified.

foreboding

2 of 2

adjective

: indicative of or marked by foreboding

forebodingly

(ˌ)fȯr-ˈbō-diŋ-lē 

adverb

forebodingness noun

Synonyms

Noun

• feel
• premonition
• fear
• suspicion
• worry
• presentiment

Adjective

• ominous
• sinister
• menacing

Examples of foreboding in a Sentence

Noun

She was filled with a sense of foreboding.

It seems that her forebodings were justified.

Adjective

foreboding clouds began to gather

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Andrew Skeet and Nathan Klein’s orchestral original score sets an appropriate tone of mournful foreboding. —Dennis Harvey, Variety, 7 June 2025

Early in President Donald Trump’s second term, European leaders and many U.S. defense and security experts were anticipating this week’s NATO summit with foreboding. —Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 23 June 2025

Adjective

Its floor-to-ceiling glass is dark and foreboding and clashes with the lightness of the timber columns and ceilings that can be seen from the street. —Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 27 July 2025

Series creators even issued a foreboding warning imploring fans to refrain from online harassment as the angst of the season plays out. —Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 23 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foreboding

• overloading
• boding
• coding
• goading
• loading
• roading
• corroding
• decoding
• downloading
• encoding
• eroding
• exploding