foreshadowing

noun

fore·​shad·​ow·​ing fȯr-ˈsha-də-wiŋ How to pronounce foreshadowing (audio)
plural foreshadowings
: an indication of what is to come
If the history of the world were a novel, the events so strikingly chronicled in the photographs in this book … would seem a foreshadowing of the recent events …Ralph Novak
On this merry Christmas evening, however, no fears or dim foreshadowings of any coming event clouded our hearts or faces.Lucy Maud Montgomery
also : the use of such indications (as in a work of literature)
And, further, Rose is a genuine cliff-hanger, or page-turner, full of foreshadowing … and all the tried and tricky methods of creating suspense. John Simon

Examples of foreshadowing in a Sentence

the hero's strange encounter with a grave digger is often seen as a foreshadowing of his own death
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
John wonders if he and his foreshadowing are chopped liver. Stacia Brown, Vulture, 26 June 2025 Democrats assailed the budget as a devastating foreshadowing of Trump's vision for the country. Arkansas Online, 3 May 2025 Their Unicorn popsicle may be an element of subtle foreshadowing for the rapidly growing company. Alexandra York, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025 There was no foreshadowing of Triston Casas’ season-ending knee injury on May 3 or Bregman’s severe quad injury on May 23, one that will keep him out for several weeks. Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 2 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for foreshadowing

Word History

First Known Use

1587, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreshadowing was in 1587

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Cite this Entry

“Foreshadowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreshadowing. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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