presentiment

noun

pri-ˈzen-tə-mənt How to pronounce presentiment (audio)
Definition of presentimentnext
as in premonition
a feeling that something bad will happen a nagging presentiment of danger

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presentiment
  1. premonition
  2. feel
  3. fear
  4. suspicion
  5. worry
  6. foreboding
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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Dmitriy Mazurov plays successful company director Gleb, whose seemingly perfect life starts to unravel, not due to the conflict, however, but rather his suspicions that his wife (Iris Lebedeva) is having an affair.
    — Zac Ntim, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Carlos’s rich, image-conscious father orders him to return to the casino the next day and refute the suspicions.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of suspicion
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
Noun
  • Tame Impala and Jennie‘s foreboding synth-pop track is well on its way to gaining Halloween staple song status after experiencing a big streaming bump during the spooky holiday.
    — Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026
  • There were minor changes — more large spiders and other creepy critters were added to one foreboding tunnel — but also some substantial ones designed to increase the attraction’s capacity and reliability.
    — Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
Definition of foreboding

Browse Nearby Words

presented
presentiment
presentiments
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Cite this Entry

“Presentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presentiment. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

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