presage 1 of 2

noun

ˈpre-sij How to pronounce presage (audio)
Definition of presagenext
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

presage

2 of 2

verb

ˈpre-sij How to pronounce presage (audio)
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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of 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
Inclusion on the list could also presage a Section 301 investigation that could lead to legal consequences or restrictive import controls on the devices. — Kyle Orland, ArsTechnica, 13 Oct. 2026 Charlie Kirk's family blamed Utah officials for failing to prevent the conservative activist's assassination at a state university, in a wrongful death notice announced Wednesday that presages a possible lawsuit. — CBS News, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for presage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presage
  1. feel
  2. forerunner
  3. predict
  4. premonition
  5. portent
  6. fear
  7. precursor
  8. worry
Noun
  • This one blends acrylic and cotton fibers for a slightly lighter feel than traditional wool styles.
    — Kate Donovan, Southern Living, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The decor of the 175-seat diner, which also includes patio seating, conveys the feel of a classic icon of Americana, with its booths and banquettes upholstered in shades of burgundy and caramel.
    — Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of feel
Noun
  • The not unappealing gridded face is divided into much larger elements than Mies’ forerunner across the street.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • He is revered in the Christian church as the forerunner of Jesus.
    — Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of forerunner
Verb
  • In theory, testing virtual designs will cut down development cycles, predict equipment degradation, and avoid costly trial-and-error during physical builds.
    — Aman Tripathi, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026
  • Pollsters have been predicting some GOP losses and in late October, CBS News' polling suggested Republicans could be on track to lose control of the House.
    — S.E. Jenkins, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of predict
Noun
  • But these were mere hints and premonitions of the kind of sway that humans now hold.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Last year, Vandermeer’s premonition came true in a very personal way.
    — Bernard Condon, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of premonition
Noun
  • Eager to interpret the gods’ will—surely, stones that trailed light must hold sacred portent—the Romans consulted the Sibylline Books.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2026
  • Grâce à la merveilleuse découverte de la Science Chrétienne, nos prières pour le monde sont efficaces et portent leurs fruits.
    — The Christian Science Monitor, Christian Science Monitor, 21 Sep. 2026
Definition of portent
Noun
  • Given the global deployment of US troops and the frequency of its use of force, the fear was that the ICC would make US officials and soldiers vulnerable, and would reduce its freedom of military action.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Unreleased | Getty Images A spate of bomb threats against passenger flights has forced diversions, emergency landings and military escorts across European airspace this week, stoking fear among passengers and heaping pressure on airlines.
    — Jenni Reid, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • People with Down syndrome carried an extra copy of the gene for the amyloid precursor protein.
    — Manvir Singh, New Yorker, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The company says its indigo process uses soluble precursors that oxidize into insoluble pigment within the textile, avoiding the chemical reduction step used in conventional indigo dyeing.
    — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2026
Definition of precursor
Noun
  • Capital One jumped 3% after struggling last week amid worries about higher gasoline prices and credit delinquencies.
    — Alexa LoMonaco, CNBC, 2 Nov. 2026
  • Several hacks on government infrastructure underscored growing worry over the use of AI to undermine cybersecurity.
    — Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Definition of worry

Browse Nearby Words

prerogatives
presage
presaged
See all Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presage. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

Copy Citation
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of defer

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Old-Timey Vehicles

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Great Big List of Beautiful and Useless Words, Vol. 5

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
woman sitting on floor holding book in front of her face on pink background
Famous Novels, Last Lines Quiz Needless to say, spoiler alert.
See All