PORTEND Synonyms: 33 Similar and Opposite Words

portend

verb

Definition of portend

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.

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of portend But the arrival of autumn does not have to portend the end of jam season. — Leah Koenig, Washington Post, 12 Oct. 2026 Sneezes could portend good or bad luck for the ancient Greeks. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026 The Paris presentation portends bigger plans — including a 1,500-square-foot space at legacy department store Printemps, set to open at the end of this month. — Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026 The AfD expanded on strong recent results, which analysts believe could portend far-right victories in upcoming European elections. — Brendan Ruberry, semafor.com, 20 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portend

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portend

Verb

In theory, testing virtual designs will cut down development cycles, predict equipment degradation, and avoid costly trial-and-error during physical builds.

— Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
Pollsters have been predicting some GOP losses and in late October, CBS News' polling suggested Republicans could be on track to lose control of the House.

— S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of predict

Verb

Many people looking to promote their latest novels are reportedly falling victim to these scammers, who may promise authors access to the reading public while preying on them financially.

— Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 4 Nov. 2026
Both candidates promise to prioritize wildfire prevention, balance the county budget and find ways to boost county revenue without raising taxes.

— Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 4 Nov. 2026

Definition of promise

Verb

Although the town remains staunchly conservative, there are rumblings of displeasure with Netanyahu’s handling of the latest war against the militant group Hezbollah, and that could bode poorly for him in Israel’s election Tuesday.

— Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
This does not bode particularly well for Feyenoord, who finished a hefty 19 points behind 2025-26 Eredivisie champions PSV.

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of bode

Verb

Those protests presaged the more violent demonstrations in October and November.

— Fred A. Bernstein, Architectural Digest, 4 Nov. 2026
As author Derek Donovan notes, Delk’s tower presaged the step-back Art Deco skyscrapers of the late 1920s, such as Kansas City’s Power and Light Building.

— Elijah Winkler, Kansas City Star, 3 Nov. 2026

Definition of presage

Verb

Lowen must move into the Crawford family’s foreboding Vermont lake house to flirt with her husband sift through Verity’s notes and embody her voice.

— Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 6 Oct. 2026
Lowen heads up to the Crawford home in Vermont, which is a stunning, if not foreboding, contemporary house by Danish sculptor and designer Jens Quistgaard that’s pretty much hidden in woods.

— Fawnia Soo Hoo, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of forebode

Verb

Although the post-pandemic decline of China was one of the main causes of Lauder’s slowdown in growth in 2023, today the broad demographic scope augurs continued growth.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026
The Houthis also made important gains inland, all but besieging the strategic city of Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city, in a move that augured more Houthi advances.

— Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026