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
Iran’s stockpiling of missiles portends wars of attrition, like the current one, in which each side tries to wear the other down.
—
Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
The county’s silence on this issue portends an ominous outcome for west Pompano, Deerfield Beach and Coconut Creek.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Leonhard hasn’t divulged details, but adding outside linebackers coach Bobby April III portends a 3-4 base.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Time will tell as to what the AI Basic Act truly portends.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Emerging research suggests that the spread of sports gambling portends a huge increase in gambling addiction, which has the highest rate of suicide of any addictive behavior.
—Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In Persian culture, the owl does not suggest wisdom; rather, its presence portends catastrophe.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 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
Bernard Avishai, New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2026
The county’s silence on this issue portends an ominous outcome for west Pompano, Deerfield Beach and Coconut Creek.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 1 Mar. 2026
Leonhard hasn’t divulged details, but adding outside linebackers coach Bobby April III portends a 3-4 base.
—Tim Graham, New York Times, 13 Feb. 2026
Time will tell as to what the AI Basic Act truly portends.
—Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Emerging research suggests that the spread of sports gambling portends a huge increase in gambling addiction, which has the highest rate of suicide of any addictive behavior.
—Jasper Craven, Harpers Magazine, 27 Jan. 2026
In Persian culture, the owl does not suggest wisdom; rather, its presence portends catastrophe.
—Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portends
Verb
-
Cedric Golden, American-Statesman The experienced columnist seems to think that luck has run out for the Longhorns and predicts BYU will advance.—
American Statesman sports desk,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
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Continue reading … BOLD STATEMENT — Carville predicts Trump will leave office out of frustration after midterms.—
,
FOXNews.com,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Just like warmer spring weather sets flowers in bloom, the egg promises new life in nature.—
Liz Regalia,
Parents,
14 Mar. 2026
-
The new spot is slated to open in late spring and promises the same delicious options — savory bahn mi sandwiches, steamy bowls of pho, Korean corn dogs, and more — found at its original location in Steele Creek.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
However, the situation bodes well for oil companies, including attractive names that pay steady dividends.—
TipRanks.com Staff,
CNBC,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The competition committee’s stated desire to play in the nation’s largest media markets seemingly bodes well for at least two of Texas’ tour stops.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Polls show voters favor Democrats by a wide margin and Trump’s approval is hovering around 40%, an abysmal level that usually presages major losses for the sitting president’s party.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Fatigue that presages a heart attack doesn’t subside with rest and is disruptive to daily activities.—
Nadine Avola,
Flow Space,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Regardless of who calls the plays, the Aggies' defense will differ from last season.—
Tony Catalina,
Austin American Statesman,
18 Mar. 2026
-
The 43 mm models, either done up in steel and platinum or full platinum (limited to just 75 pieces), combine all those aviation details on its signature chronograph with an automatic perpetual calendar, in what the brand calls the most advanced movement to ever be housed in a Navitimer.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
The broader picture augurs well for the Israeli home front.—
Michael M. Rosen,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
And that really augurs the potential for severe and prolonged enduring instability in this region.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
His résumé already reads like a transatlantic blur.—
Preezy Brown,
VIBE.com,
16 Mar. 2026
-
While Eisenhower was not noted for his eloquence, his Order of the Day to the troops reads like something out of Shakespeare.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
16 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portends. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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