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
Khrushchev wasn’t content, however, with these favorable portents.
—
John Lewis Gaddis, Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2024
And the portents were not just in Henderson’s and Nuzzo’s paper.
—David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Matthew stresses royalty, prefacing the birth with heavenly portents; afterward, Magi bear royal gifts to a future king.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
But the attacks could have been interpreted very differently: as a horrific case of blowback and a portent of resistance to U.S. hegemony.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for portent
John Lewis Gaddis, Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2024
And the portents were not just in Henderson’s and Nuzzo’s paper.
—David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
Matthew stresses royalty, prefacing the birth with heavenly portents; afterward, Magi bear royal gifts to a future king.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025
But the attacks could have been interpreted very differently: as a horrific case of blowback and a portent of resistance to U.S. hegemony.
—Stephen Wertheim, Foreign Affairs, 17 Mar. 2023
See All Example Sentences for portent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portent
Noun
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This is, in part, explained by the institutional memory of the competition’s forerunner — the Intercontinental Cup — and the legendary battles of a bygone era.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
19 June 2025
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Another forerunner of today’s scene is Ansedonia, a hillside community of upscale homes near Capalbio that in the 1960s became popular with creative types from the Italian capital.—
Lee Marshall,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Apr. 2025
Noun
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On Jewish holidays, the Hallel prayer is recited in Shul as a psalm of praise and thanksgiving and collective expression of gratitude for GDs miracles.—
Rafael James,
Sun Sentinel,
24 June 2025
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Don’t just pray for a miracle, but be realistic and find the right plan.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
22 June 2025
Noun
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For England head coach Lee Carsley, positive omens surrounded him before this summer’s Under-21 European Championship had even begun.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Every morning, my phone screen lights up to more ill omens.—
Jayson Greene,
Time,
17 June 2025
Noun
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The phenomenon of retailers hosting coffee shops isn’t exactly new, as anyone who’s ever been to a Starbucks inside of a Target can tell you.—
Sasha Rogelberg,
Fortune,
5 July 2025
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This phenomenon is more science than stigma, experts say.—
Khloe Quill,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
Noun
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Organizations can measure psychological safety data as a precursor to inclusion.—
Julie Kratz,
Forbes.com,
29 June 2025
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Washington said the firms funneled money to Chinese firms that produce the precursors for fentanyl, the powerful synthetic opioid that has stoked a drug epidemic in the US.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
27 June 2025
Noun
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Paring payroll and procuring prospects took precedence, prompting wonder whether that run could be waning.—
Chandler Rome,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
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Is It Natural Hair Approved? Especially with the heavy styling products, high tension and high heat styles many of us curly girls love, a specialized treatment to address scalp concerns and build up could do wonders for your hair.—
Essence,
Essence,
27 June 2025
Noun
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John wonders if he and his foreshadowing are chopped liver.—
Stacia Brown,
Vulture,
26 June 2025
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Democrats assailed the budget as a devastating foreshadowing of Trump's vision for the country.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
3 May 2025
Noun
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The new see-through marvels of the Temporis Duo Grand Complication Openface add to Vacheron’s rich history of minute repeaters and complications, and like the Solaria, is a piece unique for one collector to savor.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
25 June 2025
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An architectural marvel, the Link is the world’s longest cantilever, floating between two towers like a futuristic sky bridge.—
Natasha Amar,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portent. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
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