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
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.—
MSNBC Newsweek,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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At its core was a conviction that the Holy Spirit moves through believers in supernatural ways — speaking in tongues, prophecy, divine healing and other miracles.—
Mike Hixenbaugh,
NBC news,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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But against all reasonable predictions for this confounding squad, the B’s are a team that has been able to score in bunches, especially when a little urgency is infused into their game.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
29 Oct. 2025
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Here's more on weather predictions for Thanksgiving Week 2025 in Michigan.—
James Powel,
Freep.com,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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As the weather quickly cools, swapping your sheets can do wonders for your sleep.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
31 Oct. 2025
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Playing well as a rim-runner/excelling in the pick-and-roll will do wonders for him.—
Shreyas Laddha,
Kansas City Star,
31 Oct. 2025
Noun
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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
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Though Beetlejuice exists in a macabre wonderland (its practical effects are still marvels), the film never loses its gooey center.—
Gwen Ihnat,
Entertainment Weekly,
18 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the pool room — an oval-like space with a pool table set in the middle — Reuter’s work is a brick-like mural with hints of greenery peeking out along the top.—
Lennie Omalza,
Louisville Courier Journal,
30 Oct. 2025
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Yates has been dating Andrews since the summer of 2023, after months of Yates' dropping hints online.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 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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His suggestions included searching the market for help at safety, off the edge and in the offensive backfield.—
Max Dible,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
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Other suggestions include donating non-perishable items to community fridges or hotspots, such as free Little Libraries.—
Ronny Maye,
Essence,
31 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 5 Nov. 2025.
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