as in to predict
formal + literary
to be a sign or warning that something usually bad or unpleasant is going to happen
The distant thunder portended a storm. If you're superstitious, a black cat portends trouble.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portend
Likewise, the short-term impacts of Trump’s presidency identified by research may portend long-lasting effects for this generation of young people.
—
Laura Wray-Lake, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
This measles death could portend more to come without clear government communication about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
One slight glimmer of trouble may be Prism, a success story that may portend failure down the line.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
To be sure, the sheer pace of China’s rally could portend a correction soon, according to analysts at Bank of America.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
Laura Wray-Lake, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2025
This measles death could portend more to come without clear government communication about the safety and efficacy of vaccines.
—John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
One slight glimmer of trouble may be Prism, a success story that may portend failure down the line.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
To be sure, the sheer pace of China’s rally could portend a correction soon, according to analysts at Bank of America.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portend
Verb
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Analysts predict earnings of $0.72 per share with sales of $11.17 billion for the forthcoming report, compared to sales of $11.23 billion and earnings of $0.72 per share for the same quarter the previous year.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
26 Apr. 2025
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No one predicted that diminutive quarterback Dillon Gabriel would go in the top 100 picks, but the Browns selected the Oregon passer at No. 94 Friday night.—
Zac Jackson,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Then, his administration promised a peace deal within the first 100 days.—
Alexis Simendinger,
The Hill,
24 Apr. 2025
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Two key areas where quantum technologies promise significant breakthroughs are portfolio optimization and market sentiment analysis.—
Lester Pereira,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Adrian Day Global Analyst A change in the monetary system presages a commodity bull market.—
MoneyShow,
Forbes.com,
11 Apr. 2025
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And Abbott argued that Crockett’s remarks presaged future Democratic defeats.—
Saul Elbein,
The Hill,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
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Kia customers can also call customer care at 1-800-333-4542 or check out owners.kia.com/us/en/kia-owner-portal.html.—
Saleen Martin,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 2023
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If the bill was a mistake, call 1-800-HHS-TIPS to report it.—
Louise Norris,
Verywell Health,
14 Feb. 2023
Verb
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Even as Miyazaki’s style proves memetic in this moment, his work might foretell the future of aesthetics, too.—
Kyle Chayka,
New Yorker,
2 Apr. 2025
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Sure that Jesus was the Messiah, his followers scoured the Jewish Bible for prophecies that foretold his coming.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
Verb
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With the third season of The White Lotus well underway—and its signature sense of foreboding steadily mounting—cast member Michelle Monaghan was in anything but ominous spirits last night at The Mark Hotel.—
Laura Neilson,
Vogue,
19 Mar. 2025
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Too on-the-nose to be foreboding, such clips offer a window into Linda’s mindset, as do antagonistic sessions with her therapist (and co-worker), amusingly played by Conan O’Brien with a look of constant gastric discomfort on his face that suggests her concerns may be giving him ulcers.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
24 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Could this augur a more confrontational tone for Fox News?—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
3 Feb. 2025
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The potential return of American Dad! to Fox also augurs well for 20th TV Animation’s other long-running Fox shows — Bob’s Burgers, MacFarlane’s Family Guy and The Simpsons — which are coming to the end of two-season orders at the network.—
Rick Porter,
The Hollywood Reporter,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portend. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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