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
Always alert to mood swings, Hollywood this week is coping with some dauntingly positive portents.
—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
25 June 2026
But there is reason for hope, because the season-one finale of Widow’s Bay is like a beacon in the dark, and all the signs and portents are lining up.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
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
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
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
25 June 2026
But there is reason for hope, because the season-one finale of Widow’s Bay is like a beacon in the dark, and all the signs and portents are lining up.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
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
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
-
There was a book in Sapphire’s den that ran a different set of numbers, the math of omens and outcomes.
-
Long before scientists understood solar wind or magnetism, people associated auroras with spirits, omens, warriors, or celestial beings.
Noun
-
Syd was always going places, but Richie and Tina — and, of course, the fabulous Fak brothers, Neil (Matty Matheson) and Ted (Ricky Staffieri) — were the miracles of the piece.
-
But, as a figure of the Enlightenment and thus a believer in reason and science, the former president discounted the miracles associated with Jesus — including his virgin birth and supposed resurrection.
Noun
-
To be sure, some of the worst-case predictions did not materialize, such as an immediate recession or a housing market crash.
-
Below are five bold predictions about what the world of artificial intelligence will look like in the year 2030.
Noun
-
Tuba, or tubá, is one of many undersung wonders of tiny Colima state, a place that barely makes a blip on most international and even domestic tourists’ radar.
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For our weary eyeballs, strained and tired from long periods locked onto screens, rest and relaxation can do wonders.
Noun
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This vulnerability is exacerbated by public social media activity and widespread data leaks, offering cybercriminals crucial hints.
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Just One is a cooperative word game where duplicate hints get eliminated.
Noun
-
Gomez shared a video taken prior to the ceremony in which Swift marvels at her pal.
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In the biography, Bluett marvels at Diallo’s devotion to his faith, especially his memorization of the Quran.
Noun
-
The heralds operate like independent contractors, with their own caseloads.
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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.
Noun
-
As the technology evolves, so will my suggestions and opinions.
-
There are plenty of free online tools that can give you job title suggestions or show you what language is actually in use.
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 3 Jul. 2026.
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