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
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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But many Floridians — particularly those who have moved here since 1998 and have no prior experience with wildfires on a massive scale — don’t see these signs and don’t comprehend the omens.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
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The omens of Sandro Tonali scoring twice in the same game of a knockout competition for Newcastle United are certainly encouraging.—
Chris Waugh,
New York Times,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Europe does not need technological miracles.—
Wolfgang Oels,
Fortune,
1 Mar. 2026
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Baby of the Year brings together proud parents nationwide to share their little miracles and raise awareness for a worthy cause.—
Sydney Cisco,
Variety,
25 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
If agents learn, predictions must remain legible in a coding language humans can oversee.—
Victoria Bousis,
Rolling Stone,
9 Mar. 2026
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The Tesla's slightly higher predictions were consistent throughout the test.—
Adam L. Neal,
USA Today,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Interestingly, these tiny wonders can detect a temperature spike in 100 nanoseconds.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
6 Mar. 2026
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The museum’s incredible holdings—Rembrandts, Impressionist treasures, thousands of pre-Columbian wonders—will be on view again after years in storage or on loan.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Its many historical marvels are spread over a 1,600-acre plot 10 times the size of Disneyland.—
Maureen O'Hare,
CNN Money,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Bill Douglas, 50, who shares a two-bedroom, $600-a-month oceanfront apartment, sits on his couch and marvels at the ocean view.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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There are some hints that along with the switch to colder weather, there could be some light snow.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Stout is a full-bodied ale that lends toasty depth and hints of malt and hops to the broth.—
Lynda Balslev,
Mercury News,
10 Mar. 2026
Noun
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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
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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
Noun
-
Judges cannot give legal advice or offer strategies or suggestions — ever.—
Florence Taylor Barner,
Sun Sentinel,
10 Mar. 2026
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There have been suggestions that California suspend its high gas tax during the crisis, but Bellisario said that's unlikely, given the state's tough budget situation.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
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