foreshadow

verb

fore·​shad·​ow fȯr-ˈsha-(ˌ)dō 

foreshadowed; foreshadowing; foreshadows

transitive verb

: to represent, indicate, or typify beforehand : prefigure

The hero's predicament is foreshadowed in the first chapter.

foreshadower

fȯr-ˈsha-də-wər 

noun

Synonyms

• predict
• prefigure
• imply
• herald
• anticipate
• adumbrate
• foresee
• harbinger

Examples of foreshadow in a Sentence

Her early interest in airplanes foreshadowed her later career as a pilot.

The hero's predicament is foreshadowed in the first chapter.

Recent Examples on the Web

Several of the country’s biggest news outlets are publicly pushing back on the rules, foreshadowing a potential legal battle. —Brian Stelter, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2025

The shift followed bipartisan calls to strengthen America’s semiconductor industry amid rising technological competition with China—a sentiment that foreshadowed the federal government’s own historic actions. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 18 Sep. 2025

Momentum can often foreshadow resolve. —Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025

Hernandez added a two-out RBI double that inning – foreshadowing the fifth-inning explosion. —Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 14 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1577, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for foreshadow

• overshadow
• caddo

Kids Definition

foreshadow

verb

fore·​shad·​ow -ˈshad-ō 

: to give a hint or suggestion of beforehand

foreshadower noun