as in to predict
formal + literary
to be a sign or warning that something usually bad or unpleasant is going to happen
The distant thunder portended a storm. If you're superstitious, a black cat portends trouble.
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Recent Examples of portend
More concerning still is what the expiration of AGOA portends for the future, the academic believes.
—
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
Such questions don't necessarily portend the outcome of the case and may merely reflect justices testing the limits and weaknesses of arguments.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Google believes Gemini's ability to perform well in these kinds of advanced academic competitions portends AI's future in industries like semiconductor engineering and biotechnology.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 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
See All Example Sentences for portend
Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 Sep. 2025
Such questions don't necessarily portend the outcome of the case and may merely reflect justices testing the limits and weaknesses of arguments.
—Taylor Seely, AZCentral.com, 27 Sep. 2025
Google believes Gemini's ability to perform well in these kinds of advanced academic competitions portends AI's future in industries like semiconductor engineering and biotechnology.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 17 Sep. 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
See All Example Sentences for portend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portend
Verb
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Let’s tie it all together by predicting that the first meeting of the season between Toronto and Philadelphia gets well and truly out of control … which by today’s standards means there are three fights in the game.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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High geopolitical volatility makes predicting the market’s future even more difficult than usual, a Reuters columnist argued.—
Matthew Martin,
semafor.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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In more strongly Democratic seats, where most primary challenges are unfolding, progressive candidates have preemptively denounced AIPAC and promised not to seek its support, or have otherwise broken with party leaders on Israel.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
7 Oct. 2025
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The deal not only promises new comics but, according to Kindt and Gorinson, the two parties have brokered a large-scale acquisition of media rights for more than 20 properties in the Flux House library.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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That does not bode well for the Panthers, who have struggled to cover tight ends all season.—
Joseph Person,
New York Times,
10 Oct. 2025
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This should take longer to play out - give it another quarter, maybe two - but could bode well for the longer-term investor.—
Jay Woods,
CNBC,
7 Oct. 2025
Verb
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One of Redford’s last screen roles, which presaged his retirement from acting in 2018, was as the career criminal Forrest Tucker in David Lowery’s The Old Man & the Gun.—
K. Austin Collins,
The Atlantic,
16 Sep. 2025
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Local officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this morning at Philadelphia’s Calder Gardens, the new sanctuary honoring pathbreaking sculptor Alexander Calder, presaging its opening to the public, which is set for September 21.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement After consultations with Israeli officials, Qatari negotiators, and regional mediators, Witkoff and Kushner assembled a 20-point peace plan calling for a ceasefire and hostage exchange, Israeli security guarantees, the demilitarization of Gaza, and a new civilian governing authority.—
Eric Cortellessa,
Time,
11 Oct. 2025
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Shortly after the painful loss, the nation’s president Nicolas Maduro called for a coaching change, and got one.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Todd's second-ever screen role foretold his future prominence, as the taciturn Sgt.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
16 Sep. 2025
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However, economists caution, the better-than-expected reading could be a sign of a slowing economy and that shrinking businesses’ margins could foretell higher prices for consumers in the near future.—
Alicia Wallace,
CNN Money,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Despite the seemingly sweet resolution to their storyline (and an ostensibly upbeat last line of dialogue), there’s a strange undercurrent to the Nagisa and Natsuo segment that suggests foreboding as much as potential happiness — a mysterious tension befitting the creator that Miyake is adapting.—
Josh Slater-Williams,
IndieWire,
17 Aug. 2025
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With the third season of The White Lotus well underway—and its signature sense of foreboding steadily mounting—cast member Michelle Monaghan was in anything but ominous spirits last night at The Mark Hotel.—
Laura Neilson,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Maureen Dowd augured the collapse of civilization.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
8 Oct. 2025
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Vegas has struggled on offense but rookie RB Ashton Jeanty’s breakout game last week augurs well.—
Greg Cote
October 2,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portend. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
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