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
  • The deep soaking tub and clear shower stall are set pieces in the room, creating a real open and airy feel.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Oct. 2026
  • The drums don’t get the lifelike feel from the buds' higher playback quality; cymbals in particular lack sizzle.
    — Mark Knapp, PC Magazine, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of feel
Noun
  • Fortune recently reported on wealthy parents’ growing fear that their fortunes will sap their children’s drive.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 24 Oct. 2026
  • Coupled with job-displacement fears from AI, opponents now point to the facilities as a physical symbol of who benefits from the boom and who gets stuck with the bill.
    — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2026
Definition of fear
Noun
  • Russia has not taken responsibility for the attacks, but suspicion has fallen on Moscow.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 28 Oct. 2026
  • But under the weight of those allegations, state officials say the once-collaborative rapport between the federal government and state leaders has in some cases given way to a deep sense of suspicion.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 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
  • 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
  • But this morning an air of foreboding awakened me, and my little fishing barometer was already descending past the 29 mark.
    — Gerald R. Hunter, Outdoor Life, 15 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 4 Nov. 2026.

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