as in predicts
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 portends
Giants officials were hoping to see more progress with what otherwise portends to be a troublesome issue against major-league pitching.
—
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Brian now realizes that the pilot’s loss of sphincter control portends not a momentary breakdown of bodily integrity but death.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
As with the Dred Scott decision that preceded the Civil War, such a blatantly undemocratic move portends some great cataclysm.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Anything below 50% favorability portends political trouble; right now Trump’s positive standing in polls hovers around a dismal 40%.
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Anything below 50% favorability portends political trouble; right now Trump’s positive standing in polls hovers around a dismal 40%.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
But its rapid scale up portends major changes in the machinery of American health care, swapping manual processes for ones driven by a multitude of AI products.
—Casey Ross, STAT, 6 Apr. 2026
This dynamic portends a tragic end for Iran.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
In other words, current prices still do not reflect the extent of shortages a prolonged conflict portends.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 5 May 2026
Brian now realizes that the pilot’s loss of sphincter control portends not a momentary breakdown of bodily integrity but death.
—Literary Hub, 4 May 2026
As with the Dred Scott decision that preceded the Civil War, such a blatantly undemocratic move portends some great cataclysm.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 4 May 2026
Anything below 50% favorability portends political trouble; right now Trump’s positive standing in polls hovers around a dismal 40%.
—Mark Barabak, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Anything below 50% favorability portends political trouble; right now Trump’s positive standing in polls hovers around a dismal 40%.
—Los Angeles Times, 26 Apr. 2026
But its rapid scale up portends major changes in the machinery of American health care, swapping manual processes for ones driven by a multitude of AI products.
—Casey Ross, STAT, 6 Apr. 2026
This dynamic portends a tragic end for Iran.
—Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2026
In other words, current prices still do not reflect the extent of shortages a prolonged conflict portends.
—Rob Wile, NBC news, 30 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portends
Verb
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The environmental footprint of data centers already rivals some of the world's largest countries, according to a United Nations University report, which also predicts their water and energy use and pollution will double in just four years as use of artificial intelligence grows.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
3 June 2026
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Analyzing 111,000 participants over 30 years, researchers found that variety of exercise independently predicts mortality risk, even after controlling for total activity volume.—
Allison Palmer,
Charlotte Observer,
3 June 2026
Verb
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No matter the result of the final, a million people are expected to line the streets of North London to celebrate at least one major trophy for their men’s team in a parade that promises to end all soccer parades.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
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The Red Sea destination promises barefoot luxury that leaves a light footprint, redefining what an upscale travel experience can be.—
Lauren Keith,
Robb Report,
30 May 2026
Verb
-
There is only so much drama to be found in the first 24 hours, and yet some Islanders have already managed to get their feelings hurt, which bodes well for the next six weeks — for us the viewers anyway.—
Kathleen Walsh,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
Even so, the relatively low level of support for his highest profile challenger, former Sheriff Alex Villanueva (with just 24% support), bodes well for Luna.—
The Editorial Board,
Daily News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
But a lack of accountability presages failure for California’s big reform.—
Rachel Canter,
The Atlantic,
9 Apr. 2026
-
An index of 50 is balanced and presages neither economic expansion nor contraction.—
Edward Lotterman,
Twin Cities,
5 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Graduation is a huge milestone that calls for celebration and fanfare — and of course, gifts.—
Sian Babish,
PEOPLE,
3 June 2026
-
The problem About 15 million adults and children, or about 1 in 3 of our state’s residents, rely on Medi-Cal, which is what California calls its Medicaid program.—
Anita Chabria,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
What that foretells for keeping that split career ongoing into the future remains to be told.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
15 May 2026
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From the Russian perspective, all of this lines up with Europe’s history and foretells its destiny.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The rehearsal augurs Starship’s coming test flight—its 12th—which will mark the first time the latest version of vehicle is put through its paces.—
Adam Kovac,
Scientific American,
12 May 2026
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But some parishioners remain optimistic that this period of intense hardship finally augurs the end of the regime.—
Gisela Salim-Peyer,
The Atlantic,
23 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Nilsson admits to suffering from horror vacui—a fear of empty space, which in her case reads less like a neurotic affliction than like compulsive conviviality.—
Jeremy Lybarger,
Artforum,
2 June 2026
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Putting Rue’s apolitical faith in nationalist terms for the show’s closing image reads like one last thumbing of the nose that butts up against the season’s occasional naked sincerity.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
1 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portends. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
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