as in portents
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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Recent Examples of omens
In fact, some of you may have found a more spiritual connection to the universe, seeing omens, signs, and visions of what was, what is and what could be.
—
Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
The pattern offers favorable omens for Saquon Barkley, a sports history buff, who breached 1,000 yards rushing with a 132-yard game against the Commanders.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
In ancient Rome, temples and sanctuaries needed clear sight lines for the taking of auspices — interpreting omens from the behavior of birds — and other rituals.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
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
For over two centuries, eerie sightings of the Dash have tied it to omens of death and supernatural lore.
—Leanna Renee Hieber, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025
The bad omens came early at this year’s Burning Man — the infamously wild, weeklong celebration of art, music, and unrestrained self-expression held at the end of every summer in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert — portending a particularly extra-ordinary burn.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
In the final novel of the series, The Last Battle, the destruction of trees and dryads in Lantern Waste, a place tied to the creation of Narnia itself, is one of many portentous omens signalling the end of the world.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Kyle Thomas, PEOPLE, 4 Jan. 2026
The pattern offers favorable omens for Saquon Barkley, a sports history buff, who breached 1,000 yards rushing with a 132-yard game against the Commanders.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 24 Dec. 2025
In ancient Rome, temples and sanctuaries needed clear sight lines for the taking of auspices — interpreting omens from the behavior of birds — and other rituals.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 7 Dec. 2025
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
For over two centuries, eerie sightings of the Dash have tied it to omens of death and supernatural lore.
—Leanna Renee Hieber, Big Think, 2 Oct. 2025
The bad omens came early at this year’s Burning Man — the infamously wild, weeklong celebration of art, music, and unrestrained self-expression held at the end of every summer in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert — portending a particularly extra-ordinary burn.
—Denver Nicks, Rolling Stone, 14 Sep. 2025
In the final novel of the series, The Last Battle, the destruction of trees and dryads in Lantern Waste, a place tied to the creation of Narnia itself, is one of many portentous omens signalling the end of the world.
—Ellen Walker, JSTOR Daily, 3 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for omens
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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Black cats can be portents of bad luck.—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Here are our predictions for who will win the Big Four categories — album, song and record of the year as well as best new artist — at the 2026 Grammys.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
26 Jan. 2026
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Any statistical deviations from the predictions of the Standard Model could signify the involvement of unknown elementary particles.—
Quanta Magazine,
Quanta Magazine,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Looking for Tuesday’s Strands hints, spangram and answers?—
Paul Tassi,
Forbes.com,
21 Jan. 2026
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The bourbon vanilla French toast, with two thick slices of brioche bread, is soaked in a batter of eggs, whole milk, heavy cream, Kentucky bourbon, vanilla, orange and almond extracts, with hints of brown sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
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There are several evergreen trees and shrubs to choose from for your yard, and plant pathologist Maksim Kazakou of Plantum is here to offer suggestions for especially winter-hardy ones that look beautiful, too.—
Lee Wallender,
The Spruce,
20 Jan. 2026
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Nutrition suggestions could factor in what the person ate the prior day, as well as their biomarkers.—
Jennifer Weil,
Footwear News,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Omens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omens. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.
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