foreboding

1 of 2

noun

fore·​bod·​ing (ˌ)fȯr-ˈbō-diŋ How to pronounce foreboding (audio)
: the act of one who forebodes
also : an omen, prediction, or presentiment especially of coming evil : portent
It seems that her forebodings were justified.

foreboding

2 of 2

adjective

: indicative of or marked by foreboding
forebodingly adverb
forebodingness noun

Examples of foreboding in a Sentence

Noun She was filled with a sense of foreboding. It seems that her forebodings were justified. Adjective foreboding clouds began to gather
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
His aunts offered us tortillas to warm our hands while his uncle expressed dark forebodings about our chances of success. Kayla Aletha Welch, Longreads, 19 Nov. 2024 In his images of the World Trade Center, the passage of time has once again added to his foreboding. Benjamin Moser, The New Yorker, 8 Oct. 2024
Adjective
And Dodgers executives offered rather foreboding quotes when asked this week about the negotiations. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 Dec. 2024 But most of the horror stories setting a foreboding and ominous tone are anecdotal episodes — not evidence of any sort of widespread migrant crime wave. Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 1 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for foreboding 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1630, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of foreboding was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near foreboding

Cite this Entry

“Foreboding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreboding. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.

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