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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of omens
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
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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As portents go, after a testing summer for Newcastle, this did not look altogether positive.—
The Athletic UK Staff,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
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Other auspicious portents are appearing, Worden says, that signal initial Mars colonies could begin spreading out, beneath crystalline hemispheric domes, across the 2030s.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Contrary to the predictions of many doctors, Zevon lived another 11 months after his Letterman appearance, long enough to witness the birth of his grandchild and see The Wind get released to rapturous reviews.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
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Your brain is constantly making predictions.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The Argentine-Spanish artist — best known for her Latin urban, alternative music songs with hints of neo soul and R&B — discovered the tropical genre during her teenage years while buying vinyl records in Madrid.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
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Xi’s and Lee’s banter coincided with hints of warming relations between the two Asian nations.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Erica has evolved from a simple virtual assistant to a sophisticated tool, with 60% of its 3 billion interactions now being proactive, offering suggestions and next steps.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
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Our critics have some helpful suggestions for songs to keep you warm.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Omens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omens. Accessed 12 Nov. 2025.
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