Did you know?
It may seem like a stretch to say that portend, beloved verb of seers, soothsayers, and meteorologists alike, is related to tendon—the word we use to refer to the dense white fibrous tissue that helps us, well, stretch—but it’s likely true. Portend comes from the Latin verb portendere (“to predict or foretell”), which in turn developed as a combination of the prefix por- (“forward”) and the verb tendere (“to stretch”). Tendere is thought to have led to tendon, among other words. So you might imagine portend as having a literal meaning of “stretching forward to predict.” In any event, the history of the word surely showcases the flexibility of our language.
Examples of portend in a Sentence
Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
The music drifts in and out, portending something that may not be there.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
This year’s results will show whether their 2023 victories were a one-off or if that election portended a deeper dissatisfaction among residents with politicians seen as upholding the status quo.
—Tess Riski, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2025
Trump on Wednesday unveiled steep reciprocal tariffs against numerous nations, including allies and adversaries alike, that were larger than expected, setting off a sharp downturn on Wall Street in the futures market that could portend further trouble on Thursday.
—Al Weaver, The Hill, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
Cite this Entry
“Portend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portend. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
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portend
verb
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