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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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
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In the final novel of the series, The Last Battle, the destruction of trees and dryads in Lantern Waste, a place tied to the creation of Narnia itself, is one of many portentous omens signalling the end of the world.—
Ellen Walker,
JSTOR Daily,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Believing miracles can happen is how Tony Arenas has approached his life-threatening medical challenges.—
Cathy Kozlowicz,
jsonline.com,
2 Oct. 2025
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Not only that, Liverpool’s second summer transfer window under him was riotous (unprecedented, really, for the club and the Premier League), rendering miracles unnecessary.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Overproduction comes from forecasting failures or execution mistakes, said Chan, adding that AI is not just about better demand predictions, but helping businesses make real-time decisions with accuracy.—
Lauren Parker,
Sourcing Journal,
1 Oct. 2025
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Only time will tell, but check out these predictions from the contestants, including one player boldly calling out exactly when he will get voted out.—
Dalton Ross,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In fact, our parent tester of 2 and 4 year olds revealed that a little soap and water works wonders on most surfaces.—
Pamela Brill,
Parents,
2 Oct. 2025
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The Guardians’ pitching plan worked wonders for the first six innings.—
Zack Meisel,
New York Times,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Bridges have always been one of the most awe-inspiring marvels of engineering.—
Kaif Shaikh,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Oct. 2025
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Even within genre parameters, the director never takes the road well-traveled, offering jolts and marvels around every corner.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Unlike traditional candles that require an open flame, these lamps gently melt your favorite wax from the top down, filling your space with hints of Honeycrisp apple and vanilla pumpkin safely and efficiently.—
Elizabeth Fogarty,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Oct. 2025
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OpenAI’s actions also provide hints.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Pic heralds from Deadpool and John Wick director David Leitch and Bullet Train producer Kelly McCormick’s 87North, and Bill Bindley and Mike Karz’s Gulfstream Pictures (Upgraded), which financed the movie.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
8 Sep. 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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The King and his youngest son recently met, and though the meeting was reportedly positive, there have been suggestions of sabotage from Harry’s camp in regards to how some information has leaked.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
3 Oct. 2025
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With high school training techniques evolving, there are numerous suggestions, including the possibility that individual quarterback coaching can cement specific bad habits.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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