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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Carol’s favorite, Bella Donna, does not carry the same dark portents.
—
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
But with the hindsight of the 2025 campaign, it is filled with signifiers, the emergence from the TV to dazzle the local villagers a portent of a savvy politician who got elected by stepping away from the screen to meet physically with voters.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Dec. 2025
Perhaps as a portent, the sun poked through the clouds for her race.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
Black cats can be portents of bad luck.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portent
Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
But with the hindsight of the 2025 campaign, it is filled with signifiers, the emergence from the TV to dazzle the local villagers a portent of a savvy politician who got elected by stepping away from the screen to meet physically with voters.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 5 Dec. 2025
Perhaps as a portent, the sun poked through the clouds for her race.
—Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2025
Black cats can be portents of bad luck.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portent
Noun
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Also like its forerunner, HBO’s latest ends each episode at a moment of peak tension.—
Graham Hillard,
The Washington Examiner,
13 Mar. 2026
-
These were the forerunners of today’s robots.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Cleaning professional Claudia Meneses says that using white vinegar with a bit of water works real miracles on most shiny surfaces, including windows, chrome fixtures, and mirrors.—
Wendy Rose Gould,
Martha Stewart,
7 Mar. 2026
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Instead, Conger finds that what’s regarded as totally transformative technology is often getting trotted out as a ruse for cuts to bloated workforces that had to happen anyway, or as a wager on the miracles to come.—
Shawn Tully,
Fortune,
7 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Myths, legends and horror films have turned it into an omen of bad luck.—
Manon Bischoff,
Scientific American,
13 Mar. 2026
-
The number 13 has long been associated with negative omens.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The researchers found that this problem becomes dramatically worse as molecules grow larger due to a phenomenon known as the orthogonality catastrophe.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
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As an annually recurring phenomenon, the May upfront presentations may seem as ungainly as a 60-something’s gut straining the fabric of a uniform meant for a far younger man, but the market itself is as valuable as a day at Fenway Park.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Through transforming domestic coal ash into high-value industrial materials, the company is creating downstream manufacturing of end-products such as paper and paper products, textiles, building and construction materials, carbon fiber precursors, automobile parts, airplane parts, and more.—
Nick Franck,
USA Today,
12 Mar. 2026
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The only other casting precursor is the Artios Awards, where OBAA and The Secret Agent were ineligible since their casting directors aren’t members of the Casting Society.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Like tiny doors and geocaches, the Santa signs have an air of mystery and wonder.—
Thomas Lake,
AJC.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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The listing worried fans of the natural wonder.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Jesus also washed the feet of his disciples and shared a foreshadowing of Judas’ betrayal at the Garden of Gethsemane.—
Marina Johnson,
Louisville Courier Journal,
22 Feb. 2026
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Jesus also washed the feet of his disciples and shared a foreshadowing of Judas’ betrayal at the Garden of Gethsemane.—
Marina Johnson,
IndyStar,
20 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Spread out over five miles of Atlantic Oceanfront, and topping 702 feet at the highest point, this dramatic stretch of coastline is equal parts historic site, geological marvel, conservation area, and unbeatable photo backdrop.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
14 Mar. 2026
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Those closest to Spurgeon, who has indeed missed significant time with injuries over the course of 16 NHL seasons, marvel at the grit and the determination to take everything thrown his way in reaching the 1,000-games milestone.—
Jess Myers,
Twin Cities,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portent. Accessed 16 Mar. 2026.
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