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
This is a delicate and dicey subject to even bring up, since the industry right now is in the grip of multiple perceptions and anxieties about what AI portends for the future of entertainment.
—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Regardless, Canadian space boosters say the launch portends more good things to come from a country eager to develop its own orbital lift capability.
—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
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
Democrats face an optimistic midterm outlook based on historical patterns showing the party out of power gains substantial House seats and Trump’s approval rating hovering around 40%, well below the 50% threshold that portends political trouble for a president’s party.
—
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
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 June 2026
Regardless, Canadian space boosters say the launch portends more good things to come from a country eager to develop its own orbital lift capability.
—
Eric Berger,
ArsTechnica,
12 June 2026
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
Democrats face an optimistic midterm outlook based on historical patterns showing the party out of power gains substantial House seats and Trump’s approval rating hovering around 40%, well below the 50% threshold that portends political trouble for a president’s party.
—
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portends
Verb
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For example, Jung said, if a crosswalk signal usually lasts 20 seconds, but SmartBlink predicts one pedestrian will take 34 seconds based on their first few strides, the system would automatically add 14 more seconds to the crossing signal.
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Investors should prioritize management alignment over earnings forecasts, as executive behavior often predicts future success.
Verb
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This innovation promises genuine improvement for golfers of all skill levels, offering a tangible advantage on the greens.
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On YouTube, which has become a major driver for new participants, Artisan promises his nearly one million YouTube followers a quick romantic fix for every conceivable social situation.
Verb
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The Obama Presidential Center opening June 18 also bodes well for tourism, both in burnishing the city’s image and creating a new attraction to draw domestic and international visitors to Chicago, Reynolds said.
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Moreover, Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh did a good job at his first post-meeting press conference last week, and the potential for a definitive agreement to end the war with Iran bodes well for the global economy.
Verb
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But a lack of accountability presages failure for California’s big reform.
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An index of 50 is balanced and presages neither economic expansion nor contraction.
Verb
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Traffic is expected to be impacted in Midtown Manhattan as the city initiates shuttle bus corridors and closed streets around Penn Station for fans going to MetLife Stadium, which FIFA calls New York New Jersey Stadium.
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The Mayo Clinic’s current position, updated September 2024, calls infrared benefits preliminary.
Verb
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What that foretells for keeping that split career ongoing into the future remains to be told.
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From the Russian perspective, all of this lines up with Europe’s history and foretells its destiny.
Verb
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In the film’s ferocious climax, Jim is shot but escapes with Selena and Hannah, and the story closes (28 days later) back in the countryside as a jet flies over and augurs their rescue.
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This augurs poorly for yen bulls.
Verb
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Louis rips his spine out, dislocates his jaw, and reads Claudia’s diary entries about how she was repeatedly assaulted by him.
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Your nurturing nature reads the room, yet your voice matters, so steer plans kindly and claim space that truly supports you.
Cite this Entry
“Portends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portends. Accessed 29 Jun. 2026.
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