1
as in omens
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 miracles
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
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Recent Examples of portents
Always alert to mood swings, Hollywood this week is coping with some dauntingly positive portents.
—
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
25 June 2026
But there is reason for hope, because the season-one finale of Widow’s Bay is like a beacon in the dark, and all the signs and portents are lining up.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
In the shadows of the long-hut, the elders muttered among themselves—of portents and crops and weather and the storage of grain.
—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Hurley says there are already portents of future protests against SpaceX’s plan, sparked by its lofting just 10,000 Starlink satellites so far into low Earth orbit.
—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
By the end of 1857, no one knew the crack-up of the Union was coming in three years, or that the nation would be in a civil war in four, but the portents were bleak.
—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Black cats can be portents of bad luck.
—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Nov. 2025
As portents go, after a testing summer for Newcastle, this did not look altogether positive.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Mamdani’s performance as mayor would be scrutinized for portents of the Democrats’ future.
—
Mark Chiusano,
Time,
14 Aug. 2025
Peter Bart,
Deadline,
25 June 2026
But there is reason for hope, because the season-one finale of Widow’s Bay is like a beacon in the dark, and all the signs and portents are lining up.
—
Kathryn Vanarendonk,
Vulture,
17 June 2026
In the shadows of the long-hut, the elders muttered among themselves—of portents and crops and weather and the storage of grain.
—
Maggie O’Farrell,
Literary Hub,
2 June 2026
Hurley says there are already portents of future protests against SpaceX’s plan, sparked by its lofting just 10,000 Starlink satellites so far into low Earth orbit.
—
Kevin Holden Platt,
Forbes.com,
14 May 2026
By the end of 1857, no one knew the crack-up of the Union was coming in three years, or that the nation would be in a civil war in four, but the portents were bleak.
—
Jake Lundberg,
The Atlantic,
12 Feb. 2026
Black cats can be portents of bad luck.
—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
27 Nov. 2025
As portents go, after a testing summer for Newcastle, this did not look altogether positive.
—
The Athletic Uk Staff,
New York Times,
20 Aug. 2025
Advertisement Mamdani’s performance as mayor would be scrutinized for portents of the Democrats’ future.
—
Mark Chiusano,
Time,
14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portents
Noun
-
There was a book in Sapphire’s den that ran a different set of numbers, the math of omens and outcomes.
-
Long before scientists understood solar wind or magnetism, people associated auroras with spirits, omens, warriors, or celestial beings.
Noun
-
Syd was always going places, but Richie and Tina — and, of course, the fabulous Fak brothers, Neil (Matty Matheson) and Ted (Ricky Staffieri) — were the miracles of the piece.
-
Alyssa encourages all who wish to welcome children to advocate for themselves, believe in the possibility of miracles, be open to all avenues to parenthood and give themselves grace to feel all of their emotions that come with the journey.
Noun
-
Once this modification was included, the theoretical predictions closely matched the experimental data, providing a practical framework for estimating exciton binding energy from the dielectric environment.
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As always, Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi answer our most pressing questions and make predictions about the upcoming race.
Noun
-
These wonders can grow as strange, twisted bushes or as giant, spindly trees.
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National Geographic has long been the entry point for learning about science, nature and the wonders of Earth, whether through its iconic magazine, documentaries starring the likes of Jacques Cousteau and Jane Goodall, or popular television series.
Noun
-
An abundance of hints, clues and other helpful items await, not to mention a bonus Custom Wordle and plenty more.
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And while the couple have yet to confirm their wedding plans, details and hints around their wedding ceremony have begun to emerge, sending Swifties into overdrive.
Noun
-
Gomez shared a video taken prior to the ceremony in which Swift marvels at her pal.
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In the biography, Bluett marvels at Diallo’s devotion to his faith, especially his memorization of the Quran.
Noun
-
The heralds operate like independent contractors, with their own caseloads.
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The reason is that the 1996 Ferrari 550 Maranello’s arrival was one of the heralds of the Ferrari of today, the one building cars with both world-beating performance and everyday usability.
Noun
-
That goal has been overshadowed by his suggestions that Washington might seize control of Greenland or that Canada could become America’s 51st state.
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Some of the suggestions include a ban on cryptocurrency mining data centers and requirements for noise barriers to reduce stress on nearby residents.
Cite this Entry
“Portents.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portents. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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