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
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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
For the Chinese government, however, Tiananmen remains a frightening portent.
—
Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2019
As the two settle into their new house, Michael Shanks, the film’s Australian writer-director, pulls an anything-goes series of shocking portents.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
In Crimson Peak, however, these terrifying tragic figures are also a warning, an ominous portent of her doom, a frantic attempt to save her from it.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
His removal makes our nation less secure and is a terrible portent for what's to come.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portent
Andrew J. Nathan, Foreign Affairs, 30 May 2019
As the two settle into their new house, Michael Shanks, the film’s Australian writer-director, pulls an anything-goes series of shocking portents.
—Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 27 Jan. 2025
In Crimson Peak, however, these terrifying tragic figures are also a warning, an ominous portent of her doom, a frantic attempt to save her from it.
—Gayle Sequeira, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2025
His removal makes our nation less secure and is a terrible portent for what's to come.
—Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portent
Noun
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In 1914, Frank Newman opened the Royal Theatre which was a forerunner to movie palaces in the city, a significant departure from nickelodeons.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
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Hammond, the school’s forerunner, won its fourth straight 3A sectional title in 2008.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Cheng Xin/Getty Images Call it a miracle, or a marketing ploy: Duo the owl is back from the dead.—
Rachel Treisman,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2025
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And, like the small miracle of any benthic shine found in sandy human hands, Frame’s prolific œuvre very nearly didn’t exist for us, but for drastic, tidal chance.—
Audrey Wollen,
The New Yorker,
25 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Throughout most of human history, many cultures have thought such phenomena were ill omens caused by supernatural beings.—
Emily Matchar,
Smithsonian Magazine,
27 Jan. 2025
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In some cultures, they were feared as omens of bad luck or even linked to witchcraft.—
Michael Gfoeller And David H. Rundell,
Newsweek,
16 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The cult phenomenon that sprung around it is unparalleled, and created not only the midnight screenings that continue to this day, but also a safe haven for those who ever felt different or marginalized.—
Anthony D'Alessandro,
Deadline,
7 Mar. 2025
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The major difference between the two eclipses is in the positioning of the sun, the moon and the Earth and the longevity of the phenomenon, according to NASA.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA TODAY,
6 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Planned a year in advance, essentially right after the previous Oscars ceremony has wrapped, the glamorous precursor to Hollywood’s biggest night comes together thanks to a production team filled with hard-working, movie-loving craftspeople.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
1 Mar. 2025
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Zelenskyy wants that deal to be a precursor to Trump guaranteeing support for Ukraine if Russia violates a potential peace agreement.—
Dan Mangan,Christina Wilkie,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Switzerland Is Home To Two Of Europe’s Most Underrated Natural Wonders Switzerland is the setting for the top two natural wonders in Europe.—
Rebecca Ann Hughes,
Forbes,
28 Feb. 2025
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The addition of Robinson could do wonders for them on that part.—
Dan Perry,
Newsweek,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Some epileptic patients, for example, can feel their seizures coming on and activate their implants, but others don’t experience such foreshadowing.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
29 May 2015
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Like the compulsive twisting of a pencil into a sharpener, Khatami tightens the narrative rope to excruciating effect with a series of ominous foreshadowings.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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This is one of the few Roman marvels in Croatia that has been entirely repurposed.—
Cat Sposato,
AFAR Media,
26 Feb. 2025
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Much like Stonehenge, the monolithic statues at Easter Island, and other premodern engineering marvels, much of Machu Picchu’s construction remains shrouded in mystery.—
Hannah Edgar,
ARTnews.com,
24 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portent. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.
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