as in to predict
formal + literary
to be a sign or warning that something usually bad or unpleasant is going to happen
The distant thunder portended a storm. If you're superstitious, a black cat portends trouble.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portend
Four-star Miami native Jordan Campbell is 6-2, 220 pounds with the versatility to make plays in pursuit and the bend and power that portend a potential impact pass rusher.
—
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
The best bet remains the opening credits sequence, which portends a better movie to follow.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
The 6-foot, 183-pound shortstop has elite speed on the bases or at the plate and plays slick defense, all traits that portend to a breakout spring next season as a senior.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
The strong headline numbers provided relief for investors who were nervous about a potential slowdown in the economy as the president’s tariffs portend to impact business activity.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 19 May 2025
The best bet remains the opening credits sequence, which portends a better movie to follow.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 11 July 2025
The 6-foot, 183-pound shortstop has elite speed on the bases or at the plate and plays slick defense, all traits that portend to a breakout spring next season as a senior.
—Paul Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 July 2025
The strong headline numbers provided relief for investors who were nervous about a potential slowdown in the economy as the president’s tariffs portend to impact business activity.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portend
Verb
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Markets and many Fed officials are predicting two rate cuts this year, lots of uncertainty for investors and financial firms, construction firms, and consumers who would like to see lower borrowing rates.—
William Dunkelberg,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
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What does the Old Farmer's Almanac predict for fall in Michigan?—
Sarah Moore,
Freep.com,
31 July 2025
Verb
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The South by Southwest Conference and Festival is often populated with splashy activations from companies promising groundbreaking tech in the near future.—
Beck Andrew Salgado,
Austin American Statesman,
30 July 2025
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The United States cannot promise immunity with one hand in Florida and prosecute with the other in New York.—
Julia Bonavita,
FOXNews.com,
29 July 2025
Verb
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As a strong scatter market nearly always presages a robust upfront bazaar, Paramount co-CEO Chris McCarthy noted during last week’s earnings Q&A.—
Anthony Crupi,
Sportico.com,
11 May 2025
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While SpaceX lost the upper stage of its colossal Starship spacecraft during its seventh flight test, the mishap is typical of leading-edge experiments in rocketry presaging a spaceflight revolution, says a leading American space scholar.—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes,
19 Jan. 2025
Verb
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If the bill was a mistake, call 1-800-HHS-TIPS to report it.—
Louise Norris,
Verywell Health,
14 Feb. 2023
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Instead, call the APS Outage Hotline at 602-371-3680 or 1-855-688-2437 or visit aps.com/outage.—
Russ Wiles,
The Arizona Republic,
14 Feb. 2023
Verb
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Which picture you’re drawn to today may foretell your future directions...—
Nielsen Dinwoodie,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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For example, a docking in geosynchronous orbit could foretell an emerging capability for China to approach, capture, and disable another country's satellite.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 July 2025
Verb
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With the third season of The White Lotus well underway—and its signature sense of foreboding steadily mounting—cast member Michelle Monaghan was in anything but ominous spirits last night at The Mark Hotel.—
Laura Neilson,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2025
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Too on-the-nose to be foreboding, such clips offer a window into Linda’s mindset, as do antagonistic sessions with her therapist (and co-worker), amusingly played by Conan O’Brien with a look of constant gastric discomfort on his face that suggests her concerns may be giving him ulcers.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Perhaps her mother would share an anecdote about June’s childhood stubbornness, which, looking back, appears to augur every stupidly heroic thing that followed.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
27 May 2025
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The uncertainty over that bedrock constitutional question augurs future cases that will clarify the scope of transgender rights.—
Stephen Humphries,
Christian Science Monitor,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portend. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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