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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portents
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
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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For over two centuries, eerie sightings of the Dash have tied it to omens of death and supernatural lore.—
Leanna Renee Hieber,
Big Think,
2 Oct. 2025
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The bad omens came early at this year’s Burning Man — the infamously wild, weeklong celebration of art, music, and unrestrained self-expression held at the end of every summer in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert — portending a particularly extra-ordinary burn.—
Denver Nicks,
Rolling Stone,
14 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But one might be forgiven for believing in the possibility of miracles.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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The old world was one of conjecture, miracles and guesswork.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Contrary to the predictions of many doctors, Zevon lived another 11 months after his Letterman appearance, long enough to witness the birth of his grandchild and see The Wind get released to rapturous reviews.—
Andy Greene,
Rolling Stone,
5 Nov. 2025
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Your brain is constantly making predictions.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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DarkSky International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and protecting the night sky, has identified some of the best spots for witnessing the wonders of the cosmos across the island country.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
7 Nov. 2025
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Inomata and his colleagues also believe that the site would have been built by willing participants, not compulsory labor used to construct many ancient wonders such as Egypt’s pyramids and later Maya cities.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
5 Nov. 2025
Noun
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One of the marvels of Incan design is its masonry, encountered frequently in Cuzco and all through Machu Picchu.—
Ryan Knighton,
AFAR Media,
31 Oct. 2025
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Technological marvels do little to ameliorate the hardscrabble existence of most workers; sixty-five-year labor contracts are the norm.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
25 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The Argentine-Spanish artist — best known for her Latin urban, alternative music songs with hints of neo soul and R&B — discovered the tropical genre during her teenage years while buying vinyl records in Madrid.—
Sigal Ratner-Arias,
Billboard,
4 Nov. 2025
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Xi’s and Lee’s banter coincided with hints of warming relations between the two Asian nations.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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The indie feature heralds from Benacus Entertainment and RNF Productions.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
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Thy Kingdom Come’s entrance heralds 10 total appearances for the album’s tracks on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.—
Trevor Anderson,
Billboard,
14 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Erica has evolved from a simple virtual assistant to a sophisticated tool, with 60% of its 3 billion interactions now being proactive, offering suggestions and next steps.—
Charlotte Observer,
Charlotte Observer,
7 Nov. 2025
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Our critics have some helpful suggestions for songs to keep you warm.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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