as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
foreboding clouds began to gather
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in feel
a feeling that something bad will happen
I have this strange foreboding that your ski vacation will not turn out well, so be extra careful
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in portent
something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event
used to think that if he saw a blackbird fly over his left shoulder it was a foreboding of harm
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in dread
suspicion or fear of future harm or misfortune
a pessimist who is always overcome by a sense of foreboding before flying on an airplane
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
variants
also forboding
as in promising
to show signs of a favorable or successful outcome
the dry summer doesn't forebode well for the harvest
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of foreboding
Rachel Handler, Vulture, 12 May 2026
Under the skylight of a 10-foot industrial ceiling is a cold, foreboding blacksmith’s forge — which, on an active day, would heat up to 2,500 degrees — surrounded by uncut, conical metal templates awaiting manipulation.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
The film is full of gorgeously expressionist black-and-white photography, stunning otherworldly production design, and a subtle sense of foreboding throughout that's one of the best the director has mustered in his illustrious career.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
The windowless hallways are narrow in the federal building that houses this immigration court, and the agents’ stocky bodies are foreboding in the tight corridors.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreboding
Adjective
This year’s Cannes Film Festival is already beginning to feel slightly foreboding.
—Rachel Handler, Vulture, 12 May 2026
Under the skylight of a 10-foot industrial ceiling is a cold, foreboding blacksmith’s forge — which, on an active day, would heat up to 2,500 degrees — surrounded by uncut, conical metal templates awaiting manipulation.
—Christopher Buchanan, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Noun
The iconic saxophone line, in turn, became a foreboding warning to viewers that something bad was about to happen on screen.
—Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026
The film is full of gorgeously expressionist black-and-white photography, stunning otherworldly production design, and a subtle sense of foreboding throughout that's one of the best the director has mustered in his illustrious career.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
There was no obvious precipitating event, but the encroachment of Grok seemed foreboding.
—Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2026
The windowless hallways are narrow in the federal building that houses this immigration court, and the agents’ stocky bodies are foreboding in the tight corridors.
—Catherine E. Shoichet, CNN Money, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreboding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foreboding
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 May 2026
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s a deeply observational quality to his songwriting, especially evident in the most nostalgic numbers here, that makes his eternal cheer feel well earned.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 May 2026
-
While more classic in its feel, it's firmly connected to all of the action thanks to its location right off the boardwalk.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2018, that monopoly was assailed by signs and portents.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
That Mann and his daughter, at a posh Frankfurt hotel party, glimpse so many remnants of the Nazi era — including Erika’s ex-husband, who collaborated with the regime — is another portent of darkness.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
The carefree, hyper-commercial fantasy once sold by the music industry feels harder to sustain in an era shaped by economic anxiety, climate dread, burnout culture, and perpetual online consciousness.—
Desjah Altvater,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2026
-
Bracing for a full metro Atlanta freeway to close for nearly 60 hours induces a dread similar to having to clean a garage for the first time in years.—
Doug Turnbull,
AJC.com,
24 May 2026
Verb
-
For voters frustrated with the status quo, Spencer Pratt has positioned himself as an outsider candidate promising changes to local government and a tougher approach to public safety.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
26 May 2026
-
Sand-colored houses are nestled among dense fields and solitary bushes, each laden with verdant green leaves and the promising blushing buds of Damask rose.—
Amelia Dhuga,
Vogue,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Maul was always expendable, being played like a violin by the Sith for their own sinister purposes.—
Sergio Pereira,
Space.com,
19 May 2026
-
This sinister man was Lennon's future murderer who got him to sign an album — perhaps this very album — and later shot him dead.—
Virginia Chamlee,
PEOPLE,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The actress previously recalled having a bizarre premonition before director Sam Pinkleton even called her about the role.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
-
Again, people have premonitions.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Las Damas was founded in May 1948 and put on the Beachcomber’s Carnival, a forerunner of the Sunset Beach Art Festival, in July of that year.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
The brand was also a forerunner with exclusive collaborations.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foreboding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreboding. Accessed 26 May. 2026.
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