1
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
For the Chinese government, however, Tiananmen remains a frightening portent.
—
Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2019
As the two settle into their new house, Michael Shanks, the film’s Australian writer-director, pulls an anything-goes series of shocking portents.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
In Crimson Peak, however, these terrifying tragic figures are also a warning, an ominous portent of her doom, a frantic attempt to save her from it.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
His removal makes our nation less secure and is a terrible portent for what's to come.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portent
Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2019
As the two settle into their new house, Michael Shanks, the film’s Australian writer-director, pulls an anything-goes series of shocking portents.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
In Crimson Peak, however, these terrifying tragic figures are also a warning, an ominous portent of her doom, a frantic attempt to save her from it.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
His removal makes our nation less secure and is a terrible portent for what's to come.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portent
Noun
-
Equally, it was never considered by bid organizers to be a forerunner in bids to host the 2022 and 2026 men’s World Cup, the latter of which was successful and will be shared next year with Canada and Mexico.—
Adam Crafton,
The Athletic,
6 Feb. 2025
-
While Cal State Fullerton isn’t the first campus to launch a Project Rebound program, the university has been among the forerunners in its expansion, becoming a model for Project Rebound programs at the other universities in the CSU system.—
Lou Ponsi,
Orange County Register,
28 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Cheng Xin/Getty Images Call it a miracle, or a marketing ploy: Duo the owl is back from the dead.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
-
And, like the small miracle of any benthic shine found in sandy human hands, Frame’s prolific œuvre very nearly didn’t exist for us, but for drastic, tidal chance.—
Audrey Wollen,
The New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Throughout most of human history, many cultures have thought such phenomena were ill omens caused by supernatural beings.—
Emily Matchar,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Jan. 2025
-
In some cultures, they were feared as omens of bad luck or even linked to witchcraft.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Certain feathers take on a bright or yellow-green appearance, due to a phenomenon known as biofluorescence.—
Ashley Strickland,
CNN,
23 Feb. 2025
-
Legal challenges to military policies excluding trans people from military service are not solely a 21st century phenomenon.—
Natalie Shibley / Made by History,
TIME,
21 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Since the inception of the SAG Awards in 1994, only six actors have won the Oscar with SAG as their sole major precursor — and none of them were in lead actor.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
20 Feb. 2025
-
One of Sinaloa’s most lucrative businesses in recent years has been the production of fentanyl, blamed for tens of thousands of overdose deaths each year in the U.S. Sinaloa imports the precursor chemicals from China, produces the drug and then smuggles it across the border.—
Ellen Knickmeyer and Maria Verza,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
But Salonga proves that less is indeed more when backed by trust in the material and guided by the artistic precision of a naturally gifted wonder.—
Charles McNulty,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Feb. 2025
-
Explore the wonders of Lyonia Preserve and learn the basics and benefits of forest bathing.—
Joe Rassel,
Orlando Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Like the compulsive twisting of a pencil into a sharpener, Khatami tightens the narrative rope to excruciating effect with a series of ominous foreshadowings.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
25 Jan. 2025
-
And because every number is loaded with callbacks and foreshadowings, both musically and lyrically, the rangy story is tied into a very tight thematic bundle.—
Jesse Green,
New York Times,
20 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
The latest entry, a visual marvel, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is nominated for best VFX at the 97th Academy Awards.—
Richard Newby,
The Hollywood Reporter,
10 Feb. 2025
-
Helly changes back in an underwater transition moment that’s simply a marvel to see.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portent. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share