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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On the other hand, all these omens popping up so early in the season is an indication there are further twists to come.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2026
-
The number 13 has long been associated with negative omens.—
Alexis Simmerman,
Austin American Statesman,
13 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
This isn’t to say Highway to Hell is devoid of magic or miracles— anything but.—
Lily Goldberg,
Pitchfork,
8 Apr. 2026
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Throughout history, periods of stability quietly cared for the Earth and its people to create the miracles of modernity.—
Doris Bittar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Economic outlooks for both Oakland and the Bay Area as a whole had appeared bleak over the next year, even before the United States’ and Israel’s war with Iran made financial predictions more uncertain.—
Shomik Mukherjee,
Mercury News,
13 Apr. 2026
-
Over seven days, ARGOS reduced total water usage by 58% and was only about 4% off in its soil measuring predictions, Paul said.—
Noah Lyons,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
An online amalgam of conspicuous consumption, natural wonders, and manmade spectacles — like the world’s tallest tower, Abu Dhabi’s Grand Mosque, and even, yes, the vivid green of Dubai Chocolate — has propelled the emirates to superlative measures of tourism and consumer behavior.—
Kelsey Warner,
semafor.com,
13 Apr. 2026
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That includes more than 300,000 acres of forests, lakes, streams, trails, and campgrounds all overflowing with natural wonders and stunning vistas.—
Anthony Fredericks,
Travel + Leisure,
12 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The empire’s architectural marvels are perhaps its most visible contributions.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Built between 70 and 80 CE, the Roman Colosseum remains one of the engineering marvels of the world.—
Anne Doran,
ARTnews.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ives inserts hints of Ludwig van Beethoven’s 5th Symphony in the meditative work, and at other times seems to conjure up church bells through the piano.—
Sheila Regan,
Twin Cities,
14 Apr. 2026
-
More subtle hints are peppered throughout the story.—
Matt Cabral,
Entertainment Weekly,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
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After years of competing for quarters in the arcades, two of the heralds of the video game age are working in tandem.—
Devin Robertson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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The movie heralds from FilmNation Entertainment’s production label Infrared, Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions, and Assemble Media.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The phantom page is usually a collection of additional content suggestions or a pop-up that tries to eke out a few more clicks from each visitor.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
14 Apr. 2026
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Most of them sound like throwaways from a brainstorming session, or worse… ChatGPT suggestions.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
13 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 19 Apr. 2026.
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