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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of presage
Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
The result is chaos, bewilderment and delay that presages rising consumer prices.
—Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Rachel Canter, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
As for Cipriani, a hidden history of run-ins with power players seems to have presaged this Shell game.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for presage
Noun
For Swain, the rise of directs presages nothing less than a revolution in the world’s financial markets.
—Shawn Tully, Fortune, 1 Nov. 2025
The result is chaos, bewilderment and delay that presages rising consumer prices.
—Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Verb
But a lack of accountability presages failure for California’s big reform.
—Rachel Canter, The Atlantic, 9 Apr. 2026
As for Cipriani, a hidden history of run-ins with power players seems to have presaged this Shell game.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for presage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presage
Noun
-
There’s a deeply observational quality to his songwriting, especially evident in the most nostalgic numbers here, that makes his eternal cheer feel well earned.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
23 May 2026
-
While more classic in its feel, it's firmly connected to all of the action thanks to its location right off the boardwalk.—
Jessica Chapel,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Las Damas was founded in May 1948 and put on the Beachcomber’s Carnival, a forerunner of the Sunset Beach Art Festival, in July of that year.—
Marla Jo Fisher,
Oc Register,
7 May 2026
-
The brand was also a forerunner with exclusive collaborations.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
7 May 2026
Verb
-
In February, economists predicted that the budget deficit would triple by the end of the year.—
Anna Nemtsova,
Time,
23 May 2026
-
Some 40,000 people in parts of that city and nearby communities were ordered to evacuate Friday as fire officials predicted the distressed tank would either leak thousands of gallons of dangerous chemicals or explode altogether.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
23 May 2026
Noun
-
Again, people have premonitions.—
Mike Ryan,
IndieWire,
4 May 2026
-
At the snap, Wake Forest defensive back Davaughn Patterson fulfilled Joly’s premonition, moving quickly toward the line of scrimmage in an effort to interrupt the tight end’s route out of the backfield.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
In 2018, that monopoly was assailed by signs and portents.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
18 May 2026
-
That Mann and his daughter, at a posh Frankfurt hotel party, glimpse so many remnants of the Nazi era — including Erika’s ex-husband, who collaborated with the regime — is another portent of darkness.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Noun
-
Renter Mandy Feng, who prefers to use a pseudonym for fear of being seen criticizing the authorities, said the stimulus the government is offering has failed to offset people’s anxiety over an uncertain economic outlook.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
-
China's exports gathered pace in April as factories scrambled to meet surging overseas demand from foreign buyers stockpiling goods as the Iran fanned fears of higher input costs.—
Anniek Bao,Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
The filing was a precursor to what will surely be a defense request for sanctions, which could range from financial reimbursement for their clients’ legal fees and potentially against the individual prosecutors in the case.—
Jason Meisner,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2026
-
Could these be precursors to output deals?—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
22 May 2026
Noun
-
Another reasonable worry is energy.—
Editorial,
Boston Herald,
14 May 2026
-
With one less worry – a safe home – Denise can now imagine a future for her family.—
Jayme Fraser,
USA Today,
14 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presage. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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