1
as in omens
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 miracles
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 portents
By the end of 1857, no one knew the crack-up of the Union was coming in three years, or that the nation would be in a civil war in four, but the portents were bleak.
—
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Carol’s favorite, Bella Donna, does not carry the same dark portents.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Black cats can be portents of bad luck.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
As portents go, after a testing summer for Newcastle, this did not look altogether positive.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Other auspicious portents are appearing, Worden says, that signal initial Mars colonies could begin spreading out, beneath crystalline hemispheric domes, across the 2030s.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Mamdani’s performance as mayor would be scrutinized for portents of the Democrats’ future.
—Mark Chiusano, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 12 Feb. 2026
Carol’s favorite, Bella Donna, does not carry the same dark portents.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 12 Dec. 2025
Black cats can be portents of bad luck.
—Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
As portents go, after a testing summer for Newcastle, this did not look altogether positive.
—The Athletic Uk Staff, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Other auspicious portents are appearing, Worden says, that signal initial Mars colonies could begin spreading out, beneath crystalline hemispheric domes, across the 2030s.
—Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Mamdani’s performance as mayor would be scrutinized for portents of the Democrats’ future.
—Mark Chiusano, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portents
Noun
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On the other hand, all these omens popping up so early in the season is an indication there are further twists to come.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
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The number 13 has long been associated with negative omens.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Even then, Kerr is not expecting miracles from the 27-year-old.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
15 Mar. 2026
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Temperatures in the cockpits reportedly hit 140 degrees, transforming sleek miracles of automotive technology into 180-mph crock pots.—
Kevin Sherrington,
Dallas Morning News,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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As Horsman suggests, the technology will offer crystal ball predictions about how a movie will do at the box office, as well as its cultural resonance.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
30 Mar. 2026
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What the team found matched long-standing predictions— but only when the heat was concentrated exactly where the aurora enters the atmosphere.—
Maria Azzurra Volpe,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Simply adding insulation works wonders for many older buildings, and installing solar panels can cut electric bills to a trickle.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Mar. 2026
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After exploring the wonders of the cloud forest, head to the Nicoya Peninsula.—
Meghan Palmer,
Condé Nast Traveler,
29 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Riekenberg marvels at what Jimenez did in that victory.—
Steve Fryer,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
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Today, its free public sessions let stargazers get up close and personal with myriad celestial marvels.—
Stephanie Vermillion,
Outside,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Researchers are now exploring Greenland shark genetics for clues about aging, finding hints of enhanced DNA repair and cellular maintenance that could slow aging at a fundamental level.—
Samantha Agate,
Kansas City Star,
31 Mar. 2026
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Researchers exploring Greenland shark genetics have found hints of enhanced DNA repair and cellular maintenance that could slow aging at a fundamental level.—
Samantha Agate,
Charlotte Observer,
31 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The movie heralds from FilmNation Entertainment’s production label Infrared, Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, and Assemble Media.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
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New studies, however, clearly show that medical marijuana is not nearly as effective as the pro-marijuana lobby heralds.—
Mike Gimbel,
Baltimore Sun,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Following someone’s suggestions delivers you to adventure's door under the Libra full moon.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2026
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But the open kitchen concept, with local produce and jars of pickles on display for guests to touch, taste, and smell, makes going off-menu just as enticing—just ask the chef for suggestions.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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