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
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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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portent
Unbeknown to player and club, the transfer carried portents of the sombre fate that awaited him.
—
Tom Williams, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
But contemporary critics such as Arthur Kropp, the president in 1991 of the progressive advocacy group People for the American Way, did see the dustup as a portent way back then.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2025
Khrushchev wasn’t content, however, with these favorable portents.
—John Lewis Gaddis, Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2024
And the portents were not just in Henderson’s and Nuzzo’s paper.
—David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portent
Tom Williams, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
But contemporary critics such as Arthur Kropp, the president in 1991 of the progressive advocacy group People for the American Way, did see the dustup as a portent way back then.
—Daniel Engber, The Atlantic, 18 Apr. 2025
Khrushchev wasn’t content, however, with these favorable portents.
—John Lewis Gaddis, Foreign Affairs, 7 June 2024
And the portents were not just in Henderson’s and Nuzzo’s paper.
—David Zweig, The Atlantic, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portent
Noun
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Jarry is often cited as a forerunner to the Dada, surrealist and futurist movements in the early 20th century and later, the theater of the absurd.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 July 2025
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Gilligan, who also created Saul’s forerunner Breaking Bad, will serve as writer and showrunner.—
Dave Nemetz,
TVLine,
25 July 2025
Noun
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This is the country that, with drip irrigation, produced the miracle of growing food in the desert.—
Karl Vick,
Time,
1 Aug. 2025
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Even with a Texas miracle, though, Democrats will still need to win a race in at least one state that Donald Trump carried by double digits in 2024, whether that's Iowa, Alaska, Florida, or Nebraska.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 July 2025
Noun
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There are plenty of good omens for Bayern despite the immense quality of their opponents.—
Darren Richman,
New York Times,
5 July 2025
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For England head coach Lee Carsley, positive omens surrounded him before this summer’s Under-21 European Championship had even begun.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
28 June 2025
Noun
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This isn't necessarily surprising, as some pop-cultural phenomenons have had generation-spanning appeal before.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
29 July 2025
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The Gilded Age, which leans into the New York theater community for its strong — and expansive — ensemble cast, has been a true word-of-mouth phenomenon.—
Nellie Andreeva,
Deadline,
28 July 2025
Noun
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Chinese authorities have since controlled a number of these precursor chemicals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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As a precursor of sorts for CBS stalwart Survivor (which returns for its 49th edition on September 24), Big Brother is the perfect reality appetizer before the ultimate main course.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
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As Tanna and Wash grow closer, the series highlights the joys and wonder of new love amid the most perilous obstacles.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
23 July 2025
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Today, birth rates have been declining, yet Disney has built its audience by charming generations of adults into holding onto the wonder and whimsy of childhood.—
Robert Niles,
Oc Register,
22 July 2025
Noun
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That weakness could be a foreshadowing of the inflation to come.—
JJ Kinahan,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
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Jesus also washed the feet of his disciples and shared a foreshadowing of Judas’ betrayal at the Garden of Gethsemane.—
Chris Sims,
Louisville Courier Journal,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Costa Rica is an ecological marvel with jungles, rainforests, and active volcanoes, and people from all over the world come here for yoga or surfing retreats.—
Jennifer Leigh Parker,
Forbes.com,
16 July 2025
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The home itself is a marvel of Italian architecture and features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, high ceilings, a one bedroom guest house and so much more.—
Sacbee.com,
Sacbee.com,
10 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portent. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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