foreboding

1 of 2

noun

fore·​bod·​ing (ˌ)fȯr-ˈbō-diŋ 

: the act of one who forebodes

also : an omen, prediction, or presentiment especially of coming evil : portent

It seems that her forebodings were justified.

foreboding

2 of 2

adjective

: indicative of or marked by foreboding

forebodingly

(ˌ)fȯr-ˈbō-diŋ-lē 

adverb

forebodingness noun

Synonyms

Noun

• premonition
• presage
• presentiment
• prognostication

Adjective

• baleful
• dire
• direful
• doomy
• ill
• ill-boding
• inauspicious
• menacing
• minatory
• ominous
• portentous
• sinister
• threatening

Examples of foreboding in a Sentence

Noun

She was filled with a sense of foreboding.

It seems that her forebodings were justified.

Adjective

foreboding clouds began to gather

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In his images of the World Trade Center, the passage of time has once again added to his foreboding. —Benjamin Moser, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024

But most foreboding is Falcone’s daughter and Alberto’s sister Sofia, released from Arkham Asylum after years inside and with major grievances against Oz, who used to be her driver. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024

Adjective

The 2024 Emmy nominees cast a foreboding presence over next year’s ceremony not because of the shows that are nominated, but because of the ones that aren’t. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 31 Aug. 2024

Improbable poses, struck by working behind the scenes with contortionists, only heighten the palpable tension extended through an unusual use of taxidermy and foreboding landscapes that beg for a moment of release. —Francesca Aton, ARTnews.com, 18 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined above