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
Relevance
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
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 portents
In the shadows of the long-hut, the elders muttered among themselves—of portents and crops and weather and the storage of grain.
—
Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 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
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
Advertisement Mamdani’s performance as mayor would be scrutinized for portents of the Democrats’ future.
—Mark Chiusano, Time, 14 Aug. 2025
Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 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
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
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
-
While other rulers of the era relied on religious omens or superstition to guide their kingdoms, Aristotle taught the young prince that the universe could be understood through human reason and keen observation.—
Steve Muscato,
Forbes.com,
28 May 2026
-
Researchers created a test to screen drivers who can perceive omens before a road accident occurs.—
Wyatt Williams,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
The Probability of Miracles follows Campbell Cooper (Collazo), an acerbic teenager dying of cancer who, after receiving a terminal diagnosis, moves with her mom and younger sister to the town of Promise, where miracles are said to happen.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
9 June 2026
-
No one is expecting any miracles from the Sox, especially without Murakami’s moon shots.—
Paul Sullivan,
Chicago Tribune,
6 June 2026
Noun
-
But just as machine learning models generally struggle with things outside the range of their training data, there may be situations where a model’s predictions will fail.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 June 2026
-
What are your predictions for season three?—
David Hookstead OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Explore historic landmarks, cultural sites and natural wonders across the South that define the American story.—
USA TODAY Network,
USA Today,
10 June 2026
-
Fresh graduates have spent the past few years being told about the wonders of AI and watched seniors struggle to get a toehold in the labor market.—
Conor Sen,
Boston Herald,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
There are very few hints in art of dogs being dirty, vicious or rabid.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 June 2026
-
Katy Perry and Justin Trudeau may have been dropping wedding hints through their fashion choices at the Tribeca Film Festival.—
Karla Rodriguez,
Footwear News,
9 June 2026
Noun
-
Today's armies are logistical marvels, with each combat platoon representing the sharp tip of a very long supply spear.—
David Szondy
June 03,
New Atlas,
3 June 2026
-
It was likely produced between the early 1940s and ‘50s, according to the watchmaker, and follows in the design footsteps of architectural marvels such as the Empire State Building and Rockefeller Center.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
1 June 2026
Noun
-
The reason is that the 1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello’s arrival was one of the heralds of the Ferrari of today, the one building cars with both world-beating performance and everyday usability.—
Will Sabel Courtney,
Robb Report,
28 May 2026
-
This ground-hugging perennial heralds the arrival of spring with a regal display of fragrant blooms.—
Kim Toscano,
Southern Living,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
The artist encouraged his friend to make suggestions as to the painting’s subject, and Torczyner chose this motif from a number of drawings Magritte showed him.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
9 June 2026
-
The Planning Board aims to gather community feedback about its list, along with any suggestions not on the list.—
Steven Mihailovich,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
