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
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
Beasley has an offensive skillset that portends well on most teams.
—Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Mpox researchers and doctors say the lackluster global response portends poorly for mpox's future potential as well as other disease threats.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
If the July unemployment report portends what’s to come, the picture is bound to get gloomier.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
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
Beasley has an offensive skillset that portends well on most teams.
—Mat Issa, Forbes.com, 27 Aug. 2025
Mpox researchers and doctors say the lackluster global response portends poorly for mpox's future potential as well as other disease threats.
—Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 14 Aug. 2025
If the July unemployment report portends what’s to come, the picture is bound to get gloomier.
—Jeff Cox, CNBC, 4 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portends
Verb
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Swain predicts that within a decade, the total size of the three classes of directs will be attracting the same annual volume of new funds as traditional PE commands today.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
1 Nov. 2025
-
The firm predicts that the music and podcast streamer can raise subscription prices over the next few months, which should help lift shares.—
Jim Cramer,
CNBC,
31 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Ciattarelli promises to lower energy costs immediately by yanking the state out of a regional greenhouse gas initiative, as well as any other environmental policy that voters are sick of.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Nov. 2025
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This new season promises to stay true to its roots of giving preschoolers fresh insights and teaching them to be their smartest, strongest, and kindest selves.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
3 Nov. 2025
Verb
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At the same time, both Miyagawa and Kusunoki acknowledged that Japan’s film and television professionals are increasingly open and eager to collaborate with foreign projects and crew, which bodes well for the industry’s future.—
Sara Merican,
Deadline,
29 Oct. 2025
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Martha Stewart Signature Comfort Stretch Boxy Modern Top The knit layer is made from a slightly stretchy material that is comfortable enough to wear while relaxing at home, but the boxy design adds structure that bodes well for brunch plans or running errands.—
Rachel Trujillo,
PEOPLE,
24 Oct. 2025
Verb
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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
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But a second round of arguments is a rare occurrence at the Supreme Court, and sometimes presages a major change by the justices.—
MARK SHERMAN,
Arkansas Online,
30 June 2024
Verb
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The report calls on leaders to focus on green solutions that can also improve health outcomes, and warns that political backsliding on climate commitments will only cause more harm.—
Simmone Shah,
Time,
29 Oct. 2025
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Qualcomm calls the new chips AI200 and AI250, and they’re intended for generative AI inference in data centers.—
Andrew Nusca,
Fortune,
28 Oct. 2025
Verb
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For most, such latitude foretells a long stretch to go.—
Noah Barsky,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
-
No scripture foretells GPUs, gradient descent, or multimodal transformers.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
15 Aug. 2025
Verb
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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
Cite this Entry
“Portends.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portends. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
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