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
The state’s latest energy plan fails to recognize and remedy this and portends a bleak, costly energy future, not to mention more pollution and higher health care costs.
—
Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Moreover, the panel's move on hepatitis B — in the face of overwhelming data that shows the birth dose is effective and safe — portends further upheaval for the nation's childhood vaccine schedule, a cornerstone of public health.
—Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Her envy-inducing Victorian house, wrapped in floral wallpaper and outfitted with plush rugs, still has a warmth to it, but this warmth portends sickness, fever.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Maliki’s rehabilitation portends naked authoritarianism, further erosion of civil and press rights, and a return of bitter societal divisions.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Dickerson’s looming exit portends significant changes to the flagship evening newscast, which has been stuck in third place behind ABC News and NBC News for years.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The season ends on a cliffhanger, a choice that’s both frustrating but at least portends a seemingly inevitable second installment that can elaborate on what’s initially left bare bones.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
More concerning still is what the expiration of AGOA portends for the future, the academic believes.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 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
Anshul Gupta, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Moreover, the panel's move on hepatitis B — in the face of overwhelming data that shows the birth dose is effective and safe — portends further upheaval for the nation's childhood vaccine schedule, a cornerstone of public health.
—Dr. Céline Gounder, CBS News, 12 Dec. 2025
Her envy-inducing Victorian house, wrapped in floral wallpaper and outfitted with plush rugs, still has a warmth to it, but this warmth portends sickness, fever.
—Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 6 Dec. 2025
Maliki’s rehabilitation portends naked authoritarianism, further erosion of civil and press rights, and a return of bitter societal divisions.
—Nabil Salih, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
Dickerson’s looming exit portends significant changes to the flagship evening newscast, which has been stuck in third place behind ABC News and NBC News for years.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 27 Oct. 2025
The season ends on a cliffhanger, a choice that’s both frustrating but at least portends a seemingly inevitable second installment that can elaborate on what’s initially left bare bones.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 30 Sep. 2025
More concerning still is what the expiration of AGOA portends for the future, the academic believes.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 30 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portends
Verb
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The model predicts target expressions from subtle initial facial changes.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Jan. 2026
-
The study by Diversified Energy Specialists predicts that smaller fuel dealers will be negatively affected by the policy more than larger companies.—
Tim Dunn,
Boston Herald,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The Line Smoother promises to instantly smooth and blur the skin before makeup application.—
Michelle Lee,
PEOPLE,
13 Jan. 2026
-
This year's awards season promises to deliver more inspiration, but in the meantime, do yourself a favor an invest in a quality round brush, some styling gel or pomade, and a ride-or-die can of hairspray.—
Grace McCarty,
Glamour,
12 Jan. 2026
Verb
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This bodes well for Caleb, who has thrown for two TD passes six games in a row.—
Bill Reinhard,
New York Daily News,
15 Jan. 2026
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Akron makes just shy of 40 percent of its 3s and over 60 percent of its 2s, and rarely gets the ball stolen, which bodes well in March.—
Brendan Marks,
New York Times,
14 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The tension between those companies and the state, which previously issued cease-and-desist letters to prediction markets, potentially presages a state-by-state conflict that plays out across the country.—
Eben Novy-Williams,
Sportico.com,
12 Nov. 2025
-
The question facing Federal Reserve policymakers, who will meet next week, is whether the employment numbers presages a broader slump.—
John Cassidy,
New Yorker,
8 Sep. 2025
Verb
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There is a priest; there is the Word, a term used in Christianity to refer to Christ and to Holy Scripture; there is God, whom the priest calls love; there is a baby and a cross, bookending the life of Christ.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
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This not only undermines local public media but also calls into question the wisdom of isolating Arkansas from a national network and associated resources that serve millions.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
15 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The evidence foretells what’s in store for the future.—
Keiji Horikawa,
The Conversation,
22 Dec. 2025
-
Tarot foretells the news that is manifesting and provides a warning.—
Lisa Stardust,
PEOPLE,
15 Nov. 2025
Verb
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However, the lack of US presence and the diminished interest of private capital augurs negatively for the climate agenda.—
semafor.com,
semafor.com,
14 Nov. 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
Verb
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Buckter guided her toward a palette where the colors relate to one another in a classic way, the kind that instantly reads as San Francisco.—
Itay Hod,
CBS News,
6 Jan. 2026
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Easy to dress up or down, this silhouette still reads polished, especially in a classic true-blue wash like this one.—
Belle Bakst,
InStyle,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portends. Accessed 19 Jan. 2026.
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