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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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portend
All-Star third baseman Isaac Paredes pulled up lame, grabbed his right hamstring and displayed the sort of limp that portended a serious ailment.
—
Chandler Rome, New York Times, 23 July 2025
The new record portends a wetter and rainier future that experts say is likely because of climate change.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 17 July 2025
Four-star Miami native Jordan Campbell is 6-2, 220 pounds with the versatility to make plays in pursuit and the bend and power that portend a potential impact pass rusher.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
The best bet remains the opening credits sequence, which portends a better movie to follow.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
Chandler Rome, New York Times, 23 July 2025
The new record portends a wetter and rainier future that experts say is likely because of climate change.
—Denise Chow, NBC news, 17 July 2025
Four-star Miami native Jordan Campbell is 6-2, 220 pounds with the versatility to make plays in pursuit and the bend and power that portend a potential impact pass rusher.
—Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
The best bet remains the opening credits sequence, which portends a better movie to follow.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portend
Verb
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This data turns us all into numerical grist for the mathematical mill, allowing the powers that be to predict, optimize, and profit with unprecedented scale and success.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
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Although Swift has not confirmed many details about The Life of a Showgirl, many Swifties are predicting that the production duo is back on board this time around.—
Emily Zemler,
Rolling Stone,
12 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Take, for example, promised benefits that ultimately could not be delivered due to medical underwriting restrictions.—
Expert Panel®,
Forbes.com,
8 Aug. 2025
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Additionally, the mattress has a moisture-wicking feature in its Flex-Flow Base Foam that promises to improve airflow and keep you three degrees Fahrenheit cooler.—
Yelena Moroz Alpert,
Architectural Digest,
7 Aug. 2025
Verb
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As a strong scatter market nearly always presages a robust upfront bazaar, Paramount co-CEO Chris McCarthy noted during last week’s earnings Q&A.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 May 2025
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While SpaceX lost the upper stage of its colossal Starship spacecraft during its seventh flight test, the mishap is typical of leading-edge experiments in rocketry presaging a spaceflight revolution, says a leading American space scholar.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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If the bill was a mistake, call 1-800-HHS-TIPS to report it.—
Louise Norris,
Verywell Health,
14 Feb. 2023
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Instead, call the APS Outage Hotline at 602-371-3680 or 1-855-688-2437 or visit aps.com/outage.—
Russ Wiles,
The Arizona Republic,
14 Feb. 2023
Verb
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Which picture you’re drawn to today may foretell your future directions...—
Nielsen Dinwoodie,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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For example, a docking in geosynchronous orbit could foretell an emerging capability for China to approach, capture, and disable another country's satellite.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 July 2025
Verb
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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
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Too on-the-nose to be foreboding, such clips offer a window into Linda’s mindset, as do antagonistic sessions with her therapist (and co-worker), amusingly played by Conan O’Brien with a look of constant gastric discomfort on his face that suggests her concerns may be giving him ulcers.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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As Spectrum reported last month, LLMs are improving at an exponential rate, which doesn’t augur well for the rest of the human workforce.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
31 July 2025
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For Begin, whose father, mother, and brother were murdered by Nazis, this augured a second Shoah.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
28 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portend. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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