adumbrate

verb

ˈa-dəm-ˌbrāt How to pronounce adumbrate (audio)
Definition of adumbratenext
as in to foreshadow
to give a slight indication of beforehand the strife in Bloody Kansas in the 1850s adumbrated the civil war that would follow

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of adumbrate In between, works by contemporaries complicate superficial ideas about his meteoric genius, and small, delicate drawings teem with an abundance of ideas — paintings never made, thoughts adumbrated then abandoned. — Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 18 Oct. 2019 Nothing in America’s tepid 19th-century contributions to European classical music adumbrated it; nor did the homely and sometimes hokey popular songs of Stephen Foster. — Heather Mac Donald, National Review, 22 Aug. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for adumbrate
  1. foreshadow
  2. anticipate
  3. prefigure
  4. predict
  5. imply
  6. herald
  7. foresee
Verb
  • His performance and leadership could foreshadow a dramatic improvement in Mizzou’s subpar passing game last season.
    — PJ Green September 4, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026
  • And his cynical dealings in Washington foreshadowed a toxification of US politics that now runs rampant.
    — Rob Picheta, CNN Money, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of foreshadow
Verb
  • Enciso can be the bustling out-ball, the tenacious, front-footed defender and provide the moments of individual brilliance to get Ipswich out of the relegation trouble many anticipate.
    — David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
  • Rather, the neural signals associated with threat detection and pain were most acute when people were merely anticipating the test.
    — Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026
Definition of anticipate
Verb
  • On the city’s West Side, the site of storied clubs such as Silvio’s as well as the Maxwell Street Market, blues musicians developed a style of electric blues in the 1950s that typically included a horn section (prefiguring soul music).
    — René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 July 2026
  • Other Black families tried to hold on under the new regime but ultimately found Wilmington untenable and moved north, joining a local exodus that prefigured the Great Migration.
    — Lauren Collins, New Yorker, 3 July 2026
Definition of prefigure
Verb
  • Malkovich’s turn as Chris, the eccentric and aging veteran, already has awards prognosticators predicting his return to the Oscars race.
    — Senior Television, Los Angeles Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Last week’s guest subscriber, Manchester United fan Matt from London, predicted six correct results out of 10 to send the readers to the top of the table.
    — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of predict
Verb
  • Similarly, the Broncos just missed out in the USA Today Coaches’ Poll, which, as the name implies, coaches across FBS vote on — including Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson.
    — Shaun Goodwin, Idaho Statesman, 8 Sep. 2026
  • The investment bank's forecast implies a roughly 20% increase in the cost of Brent crude, the international benchmark, which is trading at nearly $100 a barrel.
    — Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 8 Sep. 2026
Definition of imply
Verb
  • That would mark a decisive break from the generally low and comparatively stable inflation environment that followed the global financial crisis — heralding wide-ranging implications for investors' portfolios.
    — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2026
  • For a dressier option, the Franco Sarto Loran Slides are heralded by a Travel+Leisure writer who recently wore them all over Europe with zero foot pain.
    — Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of herald
Verb
  • Despite the hype, investors don't foresee a big move — and some think the news could prompt investors to offload shares.
    — Tobias Burns, CNBC, 9 Sep. 2026
  • Bailey’s return had been a surprise and was not foreseen by Emery weeks earlier.
    — Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of foresee

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Cite this Entry

“Adumbrate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/adumbrate. Accessed 11 Sep. 2026.

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