as in portent
something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event
some people still believe that a black cat crossing your path is a bad omen
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of omen
The one reason why this centuries-old record of an eclipse exists is due to an ancient belief that celestial events carry omens that were related to events of the time.
—
Julian Dossett, Space.com, 5 Dec. 2025
It was seen as a potential bellwether for next year’s elections, and the closer-than-expected outcome has raised alarm in the GOP that the race could be a bad omen for next year.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2025
Industrywide holiday outlooks from outside consulting firms have been relatively murky, but the latest slate of earnings from discretionary retailers have been a positive omen for holiday sales.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
That’s not a great omen for the American dream, which has long been regarded as owning a home.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for omen
Julian Dossett, Space.com, 5 Dec. 2025
It was seen as a potential bellwether for next year’s elections, and the closer-than-expected outcome has raised alarm in the GOP that the race could be a bad omen for next year.
—Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 3 Dec. 2025
Industrywide holiday outlooks from outside consulting firms have been relatively murky, but the latest slate of earnings from discretionary retailers have been a positive omen for holiday sales.
—Gabrielle Fonrouge, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025
That’s not a great omen for the American dream, which has long been regarded as owning a home.
—Sydney Lake, Fortune, 4 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for omen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for omen
Noun
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Carol’s favorite, Bella Donna, does not carry the same dark portents.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
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But with the hindsight of the 2025 campaign, it is filled with signifiers, the emergence from the TV to dazzle the local villagers a portent of a savvy politician who got elected by stepping away from the screen to meet physically with voters.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Dec. 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
Noun
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The rule of thumb is that if a party sees a mass exodus of its members in Congress, that’s a bad augury.—
Chris Stirewalt,
The Hill,
5 Sep. 2025
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Dream books offered augury, poetry, and purpose—a kind of secular scripture for the numbers game.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
4 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Those are, indeed, pat, credible theories and predictions.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Jan. 2026
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Adding weight to Meloni’s prediction of upcoming turbulence is the fact that 43 members of Congress have already announced plans to leave.—
Juan Williams,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Noun
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With Division 1 being wide open this season, this early-season matchup is a possible foreshadowing of a postseason matchup.—
Mukala Kabongo,
Boston Herald,
23 Dec. 2025
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Vance Joseph provided a bit of foreshadowing earlier this month.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
22 Dec. 2025
Noun
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Nya Lödöse was an important precursor to modern-day Gothenburg, located in the city’s eastern part between 1473 and 1624.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Nov. 2025
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Bogle introduced the first index fund for everyday investors, a precursor to the Vanguard 500.—
Mark Dent,
HubSpot,
7 Nov. 2025
Noun
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For Swain, the rise of directs presages nothing less than a revolution in the world’s financial markets.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
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The result is chaos, bewilderment and delay that presages rising consumer prices.—
Peter S. Goodman,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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After you’re done cleaning up the kitchen or tackling tough stains around the house, a simple wash with oxygen bleach or a hint of chlorine bleach can make white towels look new again.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
10 Jan. 2026
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The mix of spices held a hint of spiciness, but still pretty flavorful and wasn’t overwhelming.—
Alexa Stone
January 9,
Kansas City Star,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Omen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omen. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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