Thesaurus results for PRESENTIMENT

presentiment

noun

pri-ˈzen-tə-mənt

Definition of presentiment

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

Noun

But Weiss’ premonitions about what was ahead now certainly seem prophetic at the time.

— Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 21 Sep. 2026
In these transitional months, everyone has their own premonitions about what trends will dominate the season ahead, but what will actually happen is pretty much anyone’s guess.

— Joan Kennedy, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of premonition

Noun

Residents say Ethiopian federal forces retook Mekelle’s airport from Tigrayan fighters, but communications blackouts and fear of reprisals have left unclear who controls Tigray’s capital city.

— Rodney Muhumuza, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2026
The book offers creative ways to manage fear and negativity — like pretend-flushing your mistakes down the toilet — before, during and after a high-stakes task.

— Lennon Sherburne, NPR, 3 Oct. 2026

Definition of fear

Noun

The former Laker is being held on suspicion of family violence assault causing bodily injury, with no bond currently set, according to the Hunt County jail’s booking records.

— Chuck Schilken, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
His efforts, however, encountered their greatest obstacle after World War II due to the suspicions aroused by Philip’s family’s uncomfortable ties to the Nazis.

— Diego Parrado, Vanity Fair, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of suspicion

Noun

The euro sank to its lowest level against the dollar since May 2025 over Spain’s snap elections added to mounting fiscal and political worries across the region.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 5 Oct. 2026
Such strong growth is what’s allowed stocks to rally near records despite a long list of worries and challenges.

— Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of worry

Noun

Like MBD_Trans Am, the video has a foreboding din for its score, except that in this case the horror is even more explicit.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 30 Sep. 2026
And here’s where all the flash-forward business this season finally comes into thematic focus, imbuing the scene with an Old-Testament style foreboding.

— Andy Andersen, Vulture, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of foreboding

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“Presentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presentiment. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of presentiment

noun

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