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
Dan Heching, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025
His cadence pairs well with the foreboding nature of trap-dancehall production, and his Bronx roots only bolster the song’s claim to the title of new-age NYC anthem.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2025
Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
Derek Hinkey’s character, the Shoshone warrior Red Feather, is almost always frowning at white settlers, looking undeniably foreboding with his face slathered in black paint and galloping on horseback into battle.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
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
By the end of this batch of episodes, the pair is still in the hospital and Holly is still missing, lost in a decidedly foreboding dreamscape.
—Dan Heching, CNN Money, 27 Nov. 2025
His cadence pairs well with the foreboding nature of trap-dancehall production, and his Bronx roots only bolster the song’s claim to the title of new-age NYC anthem.
—Kyle Denis, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2025
Noun
Ineke Zeldenrust, international coordinator for the Clean Clothes Campaign, a witness signatory of the Accord, has long nursed a sense of foreboding about where worker safety is headed in Bangladesh.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Sourcing Journal, 15 Dec. 2025
Derek Hinkey’s character, the Shoshone warrior Red Feather, is almost always frowning at white settlers, looking undeniably foreboding with his face slathered in black paint and galloping on horseback into battle.
—Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 Dec. 2025
Verb
Nile is skeletal like Jared Kushner; his thinness is foreboding, marking a disavowal of all that is sensual.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
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
-
The Christian Bible and biblical texts also reference red or bloody moons in ominous tones.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The pizza deliveries in Daniel's name sent an ominous message, according to Salas.—
Bill Whitaker,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Ensure there’s plenty of room between furnishings for walking around and providing an airy feel.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Nômadé has a coastal feel, serving Yucatán Mexican cuisine inspired by the beaches of the peninsula and the seafood traditions of the Mexican Gulf Coast.—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Mercury News,
25 Feb. 2026
-
That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The falling Moon in Majora’s Mask represents inevitability and dread.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The dread possibility of salary caps was on the table — and in 1933 soaking the rich stars was popular public policy.—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What happens next will depend on whether researchers can turn promising lab results into safe, reliable treatments people can actually use.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
Here are five that look promising right now.—
Ray Mark Rinaldi,
Denver Post,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions.—
February 25,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The story takes on an even more sinister air when Jennifer and Fernando reunite in Mexico.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The data in the new study validates these premonitions.—
Alex Hutchinson,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
-
The premonition came true in the 36th minute.—
Colin Cerniglia,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Captain America was introduced in December 1940 by Timely Comics, the forerunner of Marvel.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
27 Feb. 2026
-
And these projects may just be the forerunners.—
Andy Sheehan,
CBS News,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Foreboding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreboding. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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