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
Jennifer Culp, Them, 16 Aug. 2024
As the ending of the story perhaps presages, Martha is on the cusp of a change in her life.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024
Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
And the results presaged Democrats’ 2020 Peach State success, when Biden won the state — and the presidency — while the party nabbed both of Georgia’s Senate seats.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for presage
Noun
The New Moon in Virgo, which occurs shortly after Mercury turns direct, presages really big beginnings throughout the zodiac.
—Jennifer Culp, Them, 16 Aug. 2024
As the ending of the story perhaps presages, Martha is on the cusp of a change in her life.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024
Verb
Another thing Gorsuch did in Gundy, presaging yet another argument N.C.L.A.
—Cristian Farias, New Yorker, 10 Apr. 2025
And the results presaged Democrats’ 2020 Peach State success, when Biden won the state — and the presidency — while the party nabbed both of Georgia’s Senate seats.
—David Mark, The Washington Examiner, 4 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for presage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presage
Noun
-
Sheer voile and organza fabrications give an airy feel and transparent look to a wide range of silhouettes, CottonWorks stated.—
Angela Velasquez,
Sourcing Journal,
6 Aug. 2025
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Also on offer are Nike Cortez varieties with textile uppers for added breathability, those whose suede is a bit more textured than usual and thus grants a heritage feel, and hot-pink crowd favorites that feed the resurgence of ’80s-era neon.—
Stacia Datskovska,
Footwear News,
6 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Previously Fefferman was a key player at Radius, the indie-film company co-founded by Tom Quinn that was a forerunner to his highly successful banner Neon.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
6 Aug. 2025
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Lehrer was the forerunner of musical comedians like Weird Al Yankovic, Rachel Bloom, and the Lonely Island.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
28 July 2025
Verb
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This data turns us all into numerical grist for the mathematical mill, allowing the powers that be to predict, optimize, and profit with unprecedented scale and success.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Aug. 2025
-
Some have predicted that the feud between Massie and Trump could devolve into a costly intra-party civil war for Republicans.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
The film series follows groups of people who escape their impending deaths after someone receives a premonition about their doom, saving them from their grisly fate.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
25 July 2025
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However, this wasn't an exact premonition of what would happen over the next 17 holes.—
Julio Cesar Valdera Morales,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
The orientation meeting Monday was a precursor to the launch of The Faithful Accompaniment in Trust and Hope, or FAITH, a pilot program that will have religious leaders and volunteers present at San Diego’s immigration court to offer spiritual support, comfort and prayer to those who need it.—
Alexandra Mendoza,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Aug. 2025
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The Florida court contrived a weird and arbitrary compromise, granting new sentencing hearings only to death row prisoners whose sentences were considered final after 2002, when the U.S. court issued a decision that was a precursor to Hurst’s.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
29 July 2025
Noun
-
Advertisement Advertisement For one thing, Putin decided that spring to send tens of thousands of troops to his border with Ukraine, raising fears of an imminent invasion.—
Simon Shuster,
Time,
15 Aug. 2025
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And yet, our fears or feelings that things will spiral out of control again?—
Kenny Malone,
NPR,
15 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The rise in the PCE inflation rate yesterday, to 2.8% over the past year (excluding food and energy), is a portent of price increases to come.—
Harry Holzer,
Forbes.com,
1 Aug. 2025
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Her appearance at the funeral had only been a portent of her tragic death.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
21 July 2025
Noun
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His worry is that a robust response could be lacking since both the U.S. and a number of European countries have cut so much of their humanitarian aid.—
Gabrielle Emanuel,
NPR,
13 Aug. 2025
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The New York Yankees have maintained an optimistic tone, despite some real reason for worry.—
Peter Chawaga,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presage. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.
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