Thesaurus results for PORTENT

portent

noun

ˈpȯr-ˌtent

Definition of portent

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of portent Things are also tough for their friends, Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao (William Gao), whose constant bickering seems to be an ominous portent for their on-again-off-again relationship. — David MacK, CNN Money, 17 July 2026 Always alert to mood swings, Hollywood this week is coping with some dauntingly positive portents. — Peter Bart, Deadline, 25 June 2026 That Mann and his daughter, at a posh Frankfurt hotel party, glimpse so many remnants of the Nazi era — including Erika’s ex-husband, who collaborated with the regime — is another portent of darkness. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 May 2026 Hurley says there are already portents of future protests against SpaceX’s plan, sparked by its lofting just 10,000 Starlink satellites so far into low Earth orbit. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for portent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portent

Noun

Rather than try to replicate his forerunners’ styles of success, Ternus has so far played to his own strengths—which are also those of Apple, a company that first and foremost builds beautiful products that spark productivity, creativity, and joy.

— Andrew R. Chow, Time, 15 Oct. 2026
Dubbed the ‘American Turtle’ for its appearance, the submarine made three attempts to blow up British ships without success, but is considered the forerunner of modern submarines.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of forerunner

Noun

Policymakers, investors, and business leaders are counting on AI to be a miracle cure for everything from runaway public debt to the costs associated with aging populations.

— RUCHIR SHARMA, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2026
The churn of new produce doesn’t feel like a miracle so much as an inevitability.

— Tanya Bush, Bon Appetit Magazine, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of miracle

Noun

What began as a relatively intimate documentation of editors, retailers and industry insiders gradually became a global phenomenon.

— Alex Badia, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
Neither release became a theatrical phenomenon, but each earned more than $40 million worldwide — suggesting even mediocre horror films can get respectable returns when their premises are appealing enough.

— Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 12 Oct. 2026

Definition of phenomenon

Noun

Then there’s the new electric Jaguar, a machine that inflamed the Internet and became the subject of global controversy when its conceptual precursor was revealed in late 2024.

— Jason Barlow, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026
Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days (also known as October Prime Day) is here, serving as a precursor to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

— Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of precursor

Noun

O’Rourke and double bassist Johan Berthling shape a steady drone, while Ishibashi’s piano runs suggest time-lapse footage of ice crystals forming, ordinary little bits cohering into objects of wonder.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 15 Oct. 2026
But Klara’s innocent wonder and unwavering loyalty soon start to heal the family and bring some light to Josie’s complicated world.

— Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of wonder

Noun

In a bit of foreshadowing, Lowen’s near-waist length, dark brown hair hints at Verity’s, but with golden-red highlights and thick bangs.

— Fawnia Soo Hoo, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026
Back in the series premiere, the Hal-o-gram’s first words serve as cheeky foreshadowing for the big reveal that ends that episode (aka revealing Hal’s dead body).

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of foreshadowing

Noun

And then there is Turin, Italy’s first capital and a Baroque marvel with the Alps to its west and north.

— Callum McLennan, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026
Frances marvels at how quickly people are radicalized online, how the machine essentially transforms them from one type of individual to another.

— Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2026

Definition of marvel

Browse Nearby Words

portends

portent

portentous

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“Portent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portent. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of portent

noun

Example Sentences

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