1
as in feel
a feeling that something bad will happen
I had a nagging presage that the results of my medical tests would not be good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in forerunner
something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event
the sight of the first robin is always a welcome presage of spring
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to predict
to tell of or describe beforehand
people used to believe that a comet presaged a major event, such as the death of a king
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples 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 presage
Michelle Stacey, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The ominous warning presages the societal problems that ensue when consanguinity is widespread.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024
After several years of relative stability in global crude oil markets, speculation is rising that strategic shifts from Saudi Arabia, OPEC, and the larger OPEC+ oil cartel could presage another period of higher market volatility in the months to come.
—David Blackmon, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presage 
Noun
In a presage of a confessional media environment still far in the future, Peters’ struggles with weight were part of her public persona—and, as with Oprah Winfrey and Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch, key to her business pitch.
—Michelle Stacey, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The ominous warning presages the societal problems that ensue when consanguinity is widespread.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
Verb
These impending realities presage unimagined new social welfare burdens for a no longer dazzling Chinese economy and may end up hamstringing the funding for Beijing’s international ambitions.
—Nicholas Eberstadt, Foreign Affairs, 10 Oct. 2024
After several years of relative stability in global crude oil markets, speculation is rising that strategic shifts from Saudi Arabia, OPEC, and the larger OPEC+ oil cartel could presage another period of higher market volatility in the months to come.
—David Blackmon, Forbes, 1 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presage
Noun
-
The two latest full episodes of Bluey that aired earlier in 2024 as part of season 3 packed a walloping one-two punch of feels (and fan speculation).DeVonne Goode, Parents, 17 Dec. 2024
-
For an extra luxe feel, go with velvet ribbon whose elegant texture will highlight the moody color.Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
These projects breathed new life into the U.S. conservation movement, the forerunner of today’s climate activism.Pavlina R. Tcherneva, Foreign Affairs, 22 July 2020
-
Embrace change, become a forerunner and refuse to let emotional interference deter productivity.Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024
Verb
-
And then — just as my colleague Joe Reid predicted — Kate Winslet for Lee, a biopic that has enjoyed a muted reception since debuting at last year’s TIFF.Jen Chaney, Vulture, 9 Dec. 2024
-
If Reddit achieves profitability in 2025, as Nowak predicts, the company could be on the path for inclusion into an S & P index, the analyst said.Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
When the casting director showed her Consuelos' picture, Ripa had a premonition.Esther Kang, People.com, 10 Dec. 2024
-
But she’s overcome by fear, a premonition that catastrophe is on the way.John Bleasdale, Variety, 3 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
Poor sleep is associated with insulin resistance (cells do not respond to insulin to take in blood glucose for energy, causing blood sugar levels to rise), which may be the precursor to prediabetes (having blood sugar levels that are not quite high enough to be considered type 2 diabetes).Amber J. Tresca, Verywell Health, 16 Dec. 2024
-
The last time the Democratic Party faced this scale of electoral defeat was also the precursor to its greatest twenty-first-century success.Ben Rhodes, Foreign Affairs, 13 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Advertising from telehealth companies, along with data showing that a sizable portion of men who get testosterone don’t even get their levels checked beforehand, lends credence to their fears.Nicholas Florko, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
-
If Friday the 13th worries you, others share your fear.Janet Loehrke, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Noun
-
Cleveland scored on the very next play, the portent of a wild night to come. 2.Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 2 Dec. 2024
-
Its peaceful stillness and silence can become desolation, and its beautiful bleakness a portent of doom.Jody Mamone, Hartford Courant, 22 Nov. 2024
Noun
-
In fact, our primary worry on this front is less about workers staying in their roles longer and more about declining immigration, which has been a source of economic strength in recent years.Jeffrey Schulze, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024
-
Pentagon officials tried and failed to block the deal at the time, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal, which cited worries that AMD had transferred crucial know-how that could aid China’s military and domestic semiconductor ambitions.Billy Perrigo, TIME, 10 Dec. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near presage
Cite this Entry
“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presage. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share