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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Not saying there aren’t omens worth acknowledging, like the first half against Texas A&M and Notre Dame missing on another five-star prospect under Brian Kelly.—
Pete Sampson,
New York Times,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Favourable Winds For The UK Index At the risk of speaking too soon, so far the omens are pretty good.—
John Stepek,
Bloomberg,
14 Jan. 2026
Noun
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So always remember, your dishwasher works some magic but not miracles.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
17 Feb. 2026
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As a teenager Acutis used his tech savvy to create a website that listed Eucharistic miracles.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
According to the Houzz annual predictions report, flat-panel cabinets are making a comeback.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
15 Feb. 2026
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The thinking here is that, even if your predictions end up going to zero, the loss won’t be enough to derail your financial plans.—
Ryan Ermey,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Taking part in that annual rite of passage this season, the 6-foot-3 senior forward wonders how the years could pass by so quickly.—
Steve Reaven,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
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Many of the great wonders of the world, from iconic buildings to national parks, are preserved and open to the public, but some are tucked away on private land where only a few can enjoy them.—
Evie Carrick,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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When complete, the skyscraper will join other architectural marvels in Jeddah, such as the Penang Floating Mosque and Al Balad, the town’s historic center featuring homes from coral.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
18 Feb. 2026
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For our cover image, the artist Stephan Dybus evoked both the marvels of AI and a looming threat for which the American economy, and democracy, may not be prepared.—
The Atlantic,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Thrilling are the hints of feminine power.—
Arden Fanning Andrews,
Vogue,
17 Feb. 2026
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Ancestry continues to provide hints about older ancestors, giving you the ability to dig even deeper into your family history.—
BestReviews,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
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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
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The indie feature heralds from Benacus Entertainment and RNF Productions.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
14 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Despite not having many suggestions, Swonk still feels compelled to document the numbers that suggest not all is well.—
Andrea Riquier,
USA Today,
17 Feb. 2026
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Also, try not to make too many suggestions when your little one is playing, such as what color crayon to use or where to put the piece of the puzzle.—
Cynthia Hanson,
Parents,
17 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
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