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
But many Floridians — particularly those who have moved here since 1998 and have no prior experience with wildfires on a massive scale — don’t see these signs and don’t comprehend the omens.
—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
The omens of Sandro Tonali scoring twice in the same game of a knockout competition for Newcastle United are certainly encouraging.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Favourable Winds For The UK Index At the risk of speaking too soon, so far the omens are pretty good.
—John Stepek, Bloomberg, 14 Jan. 2026
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
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
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, The Orlando Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2026
The omens of Sandro Tonali scoring twice in the same game of a knockout competition for Newcastle United are certainly encouraging.
—Chris Waugh, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2026
Favourable Winds For The UK Index At the risk of speaking too soon, so far the omens are pretty good.
—John Stepek, Bloomberg, 14 Jan. 2026
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for omens
Noun
-
By the end of 1857, no one knew the crack-up of the Union was coming in three years, or that the nation would be in a civil war in four, but the portents were bleak.—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
-
Carol’s favorite, Bella Donna, does not carry the same dark portents.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Experts have a long history of torturing us with predictions about how technology will wipe us out, first our jobs and then just getting rid of us altogether because humans are a bother.—
Peter Cappelli,
Fortune,
28 Feb. 2026
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The novel tool should enable accurate predictions of reactor performance across various designs.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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They have not been subjected to retaliation, but there have been a lot of hints of it.—
Scott Feinberg,
HollywoodReporter,
3 Mar. 2026
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The 20-year-old’s versatility evokes hints of Kadarius Toney and Percy Havin.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
2 Mar. 2026
Noun
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These suggestions are just a starting point, of course — with an emphasis on recent works made by Iranians themselves, rather than by outsiders looking in.—
Anastasia Tsioulcas,
NPR,
3 Mar. 2026
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Here are four unexpected things that make a house feel dated, along with McSwain's suggestions for timeless alternatives.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Omens.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omens. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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