Thesaurus results for PORTENT

portent

noun

ˈpȯr-ˌtent

Definition of portent

as in forerunner

something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event a red sky in the morning can be a portent of a coming storm

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as in miracle

something extraordinary or surprising a scout was sent to have a look at this teenage pitcher who was supposed to be the latest portent of the baseball world

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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 portent Always alert to mood swings, Hollywood this week is coping with some dauntingly positive portents. — Peter Bart, Deadline, 25 June 2026 In the shadows of the long-hut, the elders muttered among themselves—of portents and crops and weather and the storage of grain. — Maggie O’Farrell, Literary Hub, 2 June 2026 That Mann and his daughter, at a posh Frankfurt hotel party, glimpse so many remnants of the Nazi era — including Erika’s ex-husband, who collaborated with the regime — is another portent of darkness. — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 14 May 2026 Hurley says there are already portents of future protests against SpaceX’s plan, sparked by its lofting just 10,000 Starlink satellites so far into low Earth orbit. — Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for portent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portent

Noun

Dubbed the ‘American Turtle’ for its appearance, the submarine made three attempts to blow up British ships without success, but is considered the forerunner of modern submarines.

— Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026
Margaret and Alice are the forerunners of Lucy and Ethel, and Shakespeare’s comedy, written expressly to entertain, gives us a sense of what an Elizabethan-era situation comedy might look like.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Definition of forerunner

Noun

The woman understood from her hasty reading that perhaps all miracles could be attributed to saints and angels if they were experienced by a believer.

— Ellen O’Connell Whittet, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
The hair that inspired Kurin was one of three found in that manuscript, which was not actually a Bible but was Jefferson’s attempt to cut-and-paste a volume of the moral teachings of Jesus without reference to miracles or the supernatural.

— Gregory S. Schneider, Washington Post, 6 Oct. 2026

Definition of miracle

Noun

Could this be an omen for tonight’s game and the rest of the series against the Dodgers?

— Adam Van Brimmer, AJC.com, 6 Oct. 2026
Now, traders are assessing what the moves mean for a swath of assets and wondering whether yields’ rapid climb is an omen that something could break in the market.

— Alex Harring, CNBC, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of omen

Noun

Over the past year alone, it has been buffeted by phenomena such as geopolitical uncertainty — especially in the Middle East — trade tensions, exchange-rate volatility, consumer confidence pressure, and disruption across travel and supply chains.

— Jennifer Weil, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2026
This changes the alignment of the two ferromagnetic layers, which alters how easily electrons can tunnel through the insulating barrier (a quantum phenomenon known as tunnel magnetoresistance) and changes the sensor’s electrical resistance.

— ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of phenomenon

Noun

Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days (also known as October Prime Day) is here, serving as a precursor to Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

— Cameron Faulkner, The Verge, 6 Oct. 2026
Ng, who is Jo Henderson’s oncologist, noted that her previous research found that women who ate more ultraprocessed foods had a higher risk of colon polyps that can be precursors to cancer.

— Kaitlin Sullivan, NBC news, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of precursor

Noun

In 2008, passionate surfer Tim Russo purchased the property, renamed it, and set out to organically grow it into a resort full of wonder where serious surfers and travelers fascinated with the surf lifestyle could vacation happily.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Oct. 2026
Fanny, his autistic eight-year-old granddaughter sees the world with bright precision and a sense of wonder.

— Leo Barraclough, Variety, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of wonder

Noun

In a bit of foreshadowing, Lowen’s near-waist length, dark brown hair hints at Verity’s, but with golden-red highlights and thick bangs.

— Fawnia Soo Hoo, Allure, 5 Oct. 2026
Back in the series premiere, the Hal-o-gram’s first words serve as cheeky foreshadowing for the big reveal that ends that episode (aka revealing Hal’s dead body).

— Ben Travers, IndieWire, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of foreshadowing

Noun

Unlike other pipe organs, these engineering marvels have percussive sound effects for thunderclaps, horse hooves and train whistles, perfect for old movie palaces.

— Cooper Katz McKim, NPR, 2 Oct. 2026
What can’t go unremarked upon, though, is the surpassing wonder of Dennis Gassner and Richard Johnson’s production design, a near-Brechtian marvel of diaphanous screens, rotating parts, and other ingenious devices.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of marvel

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portends

portent

portentous

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“Portent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portent. Accessed 10 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of portent

noun

Example Sentences

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