as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
foreboding clouds began to gather
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem, for example, melds her image with the foreboding aesthetic of her tour and gothy moods of the songs within.
—Lina Lecaro, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Molly Ryder Granatino, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2025
In the immediate aftermath of a killing with obvious political resonance, there is a period of nervous foreboding, as the public waits for news of the perpetrator’s identity and for any hints of what might have motivated the terrible act, and braces for the recriminations to come.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2025
Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreboding
Adjective
Not content to rest on a foreboding physical presence or to hide behind a mask like Jason or Michael Myers, Freddy’s greatest strength is his personality.
—Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
Lady Gaga’s Mayhem, for example, melds her image with the foreboding aesthetic of her tour and gothy moods of the songs within.
—Lina Lecaro, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
Ultimately, this dark and foreboding-sounding class is spirited and life-affirming.
—Molly Ryder Granatino, The Conversation, 1 Oct. 2025
In the immediate aftermath of a killing with obvious political resonance, there is a period of nervous foreboding, as the public waits for news of the perpetrator’s identity and for any hints of what might have motivated the terrible act, and braces for the recriminations to come.
—Benjamin Wallace-Wells, New Yorker, 11 Sep. 2025
Verb
Despite the seemingly sweet resolution to their storyline (and an ostensibly upbeat last line of dialogue), there’s a strange undercurrent to the Nagisa and Natsuo segment that suggests foreboding as much as potential happiness — a mysterious tension befitting the creator that Miyake is adapting.
—Josh Slater-Williams, IndieWire, 17 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for foreboding
Recent Examples of Synonyms for foreboding
Adjective
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If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Trying to outrun the ominous presence, Eve will face the darkest parts of herself and uncover what she is made of.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Known for excellent customer satisfaction and strong local support, Sonic performs on par with larger national fiber providers while maintaining a smaller, more personalized feel.—
Roxanne Downer,
USA Today,
3 Nov. 2025
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Instead, opt for an anorak with a utilitarian feel (and will keep you warm on cooler fall days) and plenty of pockets to hold smaller items like tissues, headphones, hand sanitizer, and lip gloss.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
2 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Many reckoned with its ideals; pervasive talk of liberty held particular portent for women’s lives.—
Jane Kamensky,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
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Keane, though, sees nothing but disaster ahead, a portent presaged by some of the film’s most enduring images, like a stretch limo with a flat tire and a steam room littered with empty champagne bottles.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
5 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Melissa's mysteries capture interest Hurricane scientists watched with a familiar feeling of dread as Melissa traversed the Caribbean.—
Dinah Voyles Pulver,
USA Today,
2 Nov. 2025
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Imagine not suffering existential dread over Tilly Norwood; imagine the freedom to choose to use AI for interstitial shots without kicking the Letterboxd hornets’ nest, as did the brothers Cairnes with Late Night With the Devil back in 2024.—
Andy Crump,
Time,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Both candidates have bemoaned the state's high cost of living and surging energy prices, with Ciattarelli vowing to lower New Jersey's high property taxes and Sherrill promising to freeze electricity bills.—
Joe Hernandez,
NPR,
5 Nov. 2025
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Speaking to supporters gathered at Brooklyn Paramount theater, Mamdani celebrated the success of his ambitious, unapologetic campaign, promising a government not just of hope and idealism but one that will deliver both compassion and competence.—
TIME Video,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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Their double life soon gets complicated when a rival boy band harboring a sinister secret begins stealing their fans.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
25 Oct. 2025
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Candyman, the Candyman franchise (1992–1999; 2021) Helen Lyle (Virginia Madsen) finds out that adoration and horror don't mix when she is faced with the attachment of the sinister Candyman (Tony Todd) in the 1992 film classic.—
Steven Thrash,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Had Moehrig had a premonition like that before?—
Alex Zietlow
November 5,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
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And if so, is this her past or a premonition of the future?—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Perfected by forerunners such as Fiona Apple and Alanis Morissette, this fall has already seen two music stars gift us with lay-it-all-out-there lyrics.—
Dan Heching,
CNN Money,
28 Oct. 2025
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The Park cinema launched under the ownership of Cineplex Odeon Cinemas, a forerunner of Cineplex and today an operator of multiplexes and out of home destinations.—
Etan Vlessing,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Foreboding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreboding. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.
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