1
as in forerunner
something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event
a red sky in the morning can be a portent of a coming storm
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2
as in miracle
something extraordinary or surprising
a scout was sent to have a look at this teenage pitcher who was supposed to be the latest portent of the baseball world
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portent
Rather than receiving traditional care, however, Hylton was unwittingly plunged into a cold experiment in using remote work to offset hospital staffing shortages, which could be a grim portent in an age of AI automation.
—
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026
This was only a portent of things to come — the protests were dwarfed by massive protests and riots against the regime in September 2022-2023, then the largest protests in December 2025 to January 2026.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portent
Frank Landymore, Futurism, 8 Apr. 2026
This was only a portent of things to come — the protests were dwarfed by massive protests and riots against the regime in September 2022-2023, then the largest protests in December 2025 to January 2026.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 28 Mar. 2026
That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer.
—Mark Z. Barabak, Mercury News, 25 Feb. 2026
That seemed a portent of more to come as the June primary inches ever closer.
—Los Angeles Times, 22 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for portent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portent
Noun
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In 2007, the Oatley family opened Qualia, their 30-acre flagship property and the forerunner of Australia’s luxury lodges.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
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While Bass remains widely viewed as the forerunner, recent polling suggests the race might be tightening heading into the final days before the June 2 primary.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Noun
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In the wake of OG’s miracle shot, what would follow was so obvious.—
David Remnick,
New Yorker,
14 June 2026
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At the clinic, community health workers confirmed her suspicion and gave her a week's supply of a near-miracle food - Plumpy'Nut, the brand name of what's called a ready-to-use therapeutic food, or RUTF.—
Jonathan Lambert,
NPR,
13 June 2026
Noun
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His fear that the Ross miss might prove to be a bad omen was unfounded.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
9 June 2026
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The release of the beloved birds on Sunday was also seen as a good omen for the Noto region, which is still recovering from the deadly 2024 earthquake.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 May 2026
Noun
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Jason Mantzoukas, one of the few North American players so far, is the finest expression of that phenomenon yet.—
Matthew Jackson,
Vulture,
12 June 2026
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Whereas the World Cup has long given way to the phenomenon of the English World Cup hype anthem (of these, New Order’s 1990 banger World in Motion is arguably the most listenable outside the context of the actual event), the tradition seems to have sputtered out.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
12 June 2026
Noun
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Saturday marks one year since a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel began — a precursor to the longer ongoing war that would kick off eight months later.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
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With support from the organization that was the precursor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, my father and grandmother immigrated to the United States aboard the General Henry Taylor.—
Alex Poppe,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Noun
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The android has a sunny outlook and a childlike wonder about the humans around her, with Ortega describing her as being on the complete opposite end of the spectrum from Wednesday Addams.—
Rebecca Ford,
Vanity Fair,
18 June 2026
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No wonder people are so eager to talk about it.—
Kyley Sitton,
Washington Post,
18 June 2026
Noun
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What drags the installment down, however, is the sheer predictability and lack of dissent, with seven out of the nine votes being unanimous — a foreshadowing of seasons to come.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 June 2026
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With Hokum’s foreshadowing of a downbeat conclusion — and considering the rest of McCarthy’s filmography — Ohm’s survival feels unlikely.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
1 May 2026
Noun
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Eight have trusted Sweet with their futures — including, for the last 13 seasons, the Milwaukee Brewers, a low-budget marvel that depends on a rich talent pipeline.—
Tyler Kepner,
New York Times,
11 June 2026
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Today, the historical marvel is known as a major tourist destination and recreational resource.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portent. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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