as in premonition
a feeling that something bad will happen
a nagging presentiment of danger
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of presentiment
That presentiment lies behind the many present expressions of apocalypse.
—
Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Toni has been reluctant to let Amalie go out by herself—her bringing back a telescope seems to confirm some kind of fear, or presentiment.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2024
The lavishness turns quickly into horror — Godwin gives us buckets of blood unasked for in the original — and then into a presentiment of Lear on the heath.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2020
Seen from behind, men and women bundled up in heavy coats are saturated with a mute presentiment, that of people beginning to endure.
—Han Kang, Harper's magazine, 10 Feb. 2019
Those years, of course, marked respectively the peak of the frenzied optimism of the last business cycle and the first chilling presentiments of what was to come.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2019
Literary Hub, 18 May 2026
Toni has been reluctant to let Amalie go out by herself—her bringing back a telescope seems to confirm some kind of fear, or presentiment.
—Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2024
The lavishness turns quickly into horror — Godwin gives us buckets of blood unasked for in the original — and then into a presentiment of Lear on the heath.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2020
Seen from behind, men and women bundled up in heavy coats are saturated with a mute presentiment, that of people beginning to endure.
—Han Kang, Harper's magazine, 10 Feb. 2019
Those years, of course, marked respectively the peak of the frenzied optimism of the last business cycle and the first chilling presentiments of what was to come.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presentiment
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
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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
-
The Hedges’ redesign aims to balance contemporary comforts with historic character, offering a residential feel and hospitality for locals and visitors.—
Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner,
Forbes.com,
20 June 2026
-
Sleek sandals will add a luxe feel while on-trend sneakers deliver an edgy, more casual vibe.—
Jennifer Hussein,
InStyle,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
As Kennedy and Bessette spend more time together and grow closer, her intimidation of the spotlight and fear of invasive paparazzi often create tension in their relationship, despite his attempts to calm the situation.—
Gerrad Hall,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 June 2026
-
Throughout the whole battle, that’s when fear really sets in for Jace.—
Sean T. Collins,
Vulture,
22 June 2026
Noun
-
No group immediately claimed responsibility, but suspicion is likely to fall on the Pakistani Taliban, who have been blamed for similar attacks in the past.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 June 2026
-
Investigators suspect the person was injured in the Old Sacramento shooting, and police said the person had an outstanding felony warrant and was also arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of ammunition.—
Jose Fabian,
CBS News,
20 June 2026
Noun
-
Wood’s career was derailed by injuries, leading to worries of hard throwers being susceptible to blowing out pitching arms.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
18 June 2026
-
The New Jersey Girl and its parent company, The Local Girl Media Group, live on addressing public worries; this one just happened to have stakes for a broader population.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
18 June 2026
Noun
-
With each encounter, the mystery of Molineux’s whereabouts mounts, though the sense of foreboding is cut by the comedy of our hero’s haplessness.—
John Swansburg,
The Atlantic,
15 June 2026
-
The six-minute quasi-title track works as a centerpiece, its compressed qanun (a stringed Middle Eastern instrument, played here by the acclaimed Syrian musician Maya Youssef) looping in the background as electronic pulses, foreboding pianos, and disembodied voices swirl around the mix.—
Alex Robert Ross,
Pitchfork,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presentiment. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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