1
as in feel
a feeling that something bad will happen
I had a nagging presage that the results of my medical tests would not be good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in forerunner
something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event
the sight of the first robin is always a welcome presage of spring
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to predict
to tell of or describe beforehand
people used to believe that a comet presaged a major event, such as the death of a king
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of presage
Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
For Swain, the rise of directs presages nothing less than a revolution in the world’s financial markets.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Experts are already warning that there may not be enough fertilizer for the next harvest season, presaging lower yields and higher prices.
—Judd Devermont, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for presage
Noun
The company is facing similar litigation in Nevada — and while the injunction is only temporary, and focuses on sports betting, the legal action presages the broader efforts by states to protect the lucrative revenue gambling brings in.
—Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 22 Jan. 2026
For Swain, the rise of directs presages nothing less than a revolution in the world’s financial markets.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
Verb
Since 2022, Russia has dropped thousands of mines across the Black Sea, presaging Iran's Hormuz blockade by using underwater explosives to deter vessels from docking in Ukraine's Black Sea ports.
—Aidan Stretch, CBS News, 29 Apr. 2026
Experts are already warning that there may not be enough fertilizer for the next harvest season, presaging lower yields and higher prices.
—Judd Devermont, semafor.com, 27 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for presage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presage
Noun
-
High humidity due to an influx of tropical moisture combined with real temperatures in the upper 80s will create feels-like temperatures in the upper 90s.—
Scott Withers,
CBS News,
13 June 2026
-
As is Takal, clearly having fun with the film’s queasy, lurching atmospherics, abetted by the sparse, shivery, atonal chimes of Jonathan Goldsmith’s score, and the floating, disembodied feel of Robert Leitzell’s camerawork.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
In 2007, the Oatley family opened Qualia, their 30-acre flagship property and the forerunner of Australia’s luxury lodges.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
2 June 2026
-
While Bass remains widely viewed as the forerunner, recent polling suggests the race might be tightening heading into the final days before the June 2 primary.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
Verb
-
Nobody would have predicted the historic 4-1 dismantling of a respected Paraguay team that had beaten Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay in the World Cup qualifying round.—
Michelle Kaufman,
Miami Herald,
13 June 2026
-
Enhanced risk is a level 3 out of 5 on the scale for predicting storms.—
Kendrick Calfee
June 13,
Kansas City Star,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Retroactively, they were interpreted as premonitions of the 1994 violence that saw many thousands of locals, primarily Tutsis, massacred at the hands of Hutu Génocidaires.—
Jessica Kiang,
Variety,
26 May 2026
-
The actress previously recalled having a bizarre premonition before director Sam Pinkleton even called her about the role.—
Dave Quinn,
PEOPLE,
19 May 2026
Noun
-
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
-
That Mann and his daughter, at a posh Frankfurt hotel party, glimpse so many remnants of the Nazi era — including Erika’s ex-husband, who collaborated with the regime — is another portent of darkness.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Israel launched airstrikes on central and western Iran after Tehran fired missiles at Israel, jolting major cities with explosions and raising fears the region is sliding back toward all-out war.—
Jon Gambrell,
Los Angeles Times,
8 June 2026
-
Mexican authorities have previously expressed fears they could be used as weapons by rowdy fans.—
Michael Rios,
CNN Money,
7 June 2026
Noun
-
Saturday marks one year since a 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel began — a precursor to the longer ongoing war that would kick off eight months later.—
Jessie Yeung,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
-
With support from the organization that was the precursor to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, my father and grandmother immigrated to the United States aboard the General Henry Taylor.—
Alex Poppe,
Chicago Tribune,
12 June 2026
Noun
-
Even Republican leaders expressed worries.—
Eric McDaniel,
NPR,
11 June 2026
-
Flynn wants allied coordination and worries about unilateral overreach.—
Mayra Rodriguez Valladares,
Forbes.com,
11 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presage. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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