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
In Persian culture, the owl does not suggest wisdom; rather, its presence portends catastrophe.
—
Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
That’s significant to fans and industry officials because talk of a cap — which would bring an upper limit to individual player salaries and a bevy of other changes — portends a nasty labor fight.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
His directors guild nomination portends similar recognition at the Oscars, and the film itself could wind up with as many as 10 nominations.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
And being a clever child probably still portends being a successful adult.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
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
Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026
That’s significant to fans and industry officials because talk of a cap — which would bring an upper limit to individual player salaries and a bevy of other changes — portends a nasty labor fight.
—Evan Drellich, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2026
His directors guild nomination portends similar recognition at the Oscars, and the film itself could wind up with as many as 10 nominations.
—Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 12 Jan. 2026
And being a clever child probably still portends being a successful adult.
—Tom Chivers, semafor.com, 9 Jan. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portends
Verb
-
If this trend continues, one geneticist predicts that humans could someday live as long as 150 years, based on growing research in biological aging and rejuvenation.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
And research firm Gartner published a report this week that predicts 50% of companies that cut customer service staff due to AI will rehire workers to perform similar tasks, but under different titles, by 2027.—
John Kell,
Fortune,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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For 2026, the beloved series marks its 66th season and promises a summer filled with romance, comedy and tragedy.—
Kirby Adams,
Louisville Courier Journal,
8 Feb. 2026
-
For the roughly 8% of Americans without health insurance, TrumpRx’s website promises that more high-cost, brand-name drugs will be discounted on the platform in the future.—
Gavin J. Quinton,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
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His naked self-dealing, weaponizing the Justice Department against his political foes, turning on our allies, the casino-fication of the White House — none of it bodes well for the future of our democracy, setting precedents that other presidents on both sides of the aisle could very well continue.—
S.E. Cupp,
New York Daily News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Craig is a Seniors finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and considering Bill Belichick did not gain first-ballot entry, perhaps that bodes well for next Thursday’s HOF Class reveal at NFL Honors.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
28 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The company is facing similar litigation in Nevada — and while the injunction is only temporary, and focuses on sports betting, the legal action presages the broader efforts by states to protect the lucrative revenue gambling brings in.—
Rohan Goswami,
semafor.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
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
Verb
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Continue reading … FOOTAGE RELEASED – NYPD bodycam shows officer shooting man with knife as Mamdani calls for no charges.—
,
FOXNews.com,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The developer’s rezoning request calls for removing a greenhouse and accessory buildings for the development, called Old Statesville Road Mixed-Use, town documents show.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
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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
-
The evidence foretells what’s in store for the future.—
Keiji Horikawa,
The Conversation,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Every day augurs some new threat—to democracy, to decency.—
Maya Singer,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
Each year’s report reads like a sequel to the last, with familiar characters and unresolved plotlines.—
Walter Pavlo,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Other must reads For centuries, Malinche was vilified in Mexico as the ultimate traitor.—
Kevinisha Walker,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portends. Accessed 9 Feb. 2026.
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