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
The natural threat of the caterpillars has shown up in cultural expressions as a symbolic portent of human mortality, Battisti points out.
—
Ivan Amato, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
But coming in at a brisk 89-minute runtime, the feature is awkwardly compressed in its portrait of heartache and easily overwhelmed by the political portent of its subject.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 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
Ivan Amato, Scientific American, 30 Jan. 2025
But coming in at a brisk 89-minute runtime, the feature is awkwardly compressed in its portrait of heartache and easily overwhelmed by the political portent of its subject.
—J. Kim Murphy, Variety, 24 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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Yet this brand of Christian Zionism is clearly the forerunner to today’s – and holds sway in Washington.—
Shalom Goldman,
The Conversation,
2 Apr. 2025
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The title is an apt, if sort of obvious, introduction to Turner, who has been hailed as the forerunner to modern art.—
Tessa Solomon,
ARTnews.com,
28 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Not ranked: Calgary Flames and Columbus Blue Jackets — Barring a miracle, they’re both done.—
Sean McIndoe,
New York Times,
14 Apr. 2025
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Fortunately, this Switch 2 conversion played well, even better than the Witcher III's miracle port on the Switch 1.—
Jordan Minor,
PC Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Trump has had experience with the omens special elections can carry.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
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In a further good omen for Cleveland, the Celtics went on to win the title that year.—
Matias Grez,
CNN,
10 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The latter may just calculate the phenomenon differently.—
Jackie Wattles,
CNN Money,
13 Apr. 2025
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Tornadoes are relatively small and short-lived, as far as weather phenomena go, and must be observed and reported.—
Mary Gilbert,
CNN Money,
12 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In addition, neighborhoods would no longer be required — as a precursor to meters — to test out two-hour and three-hour parking zones enforced by chalking tires instead of meters.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
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Directed by Arthur Penn, who brought a bold visual style, frank sexuality and graphic, balletic violence to a Hollywood dominated by optimistic pictures, this countercultural romance served as a precursor to the generational tension and mistrust in authority that was quietly pervading the country.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Their large eyes, unique sound, and all-around mysterious quality adds plenty of wonder for young viewers.—
DeVonne Goode,
Parents,
18 Apr. 2025
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The sleek hue works wonders for a landscape that benefits from a high-contrast, modern design.—
Katherine McLaughlin,
Architectural Digest,
18 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The foreshadowing of their downfall is more interesting than anything else Porsha is bringing to the show in what was supposed to be her triumphant return.—
Ile-Ife Okantah,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2025
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The Dreamgirls star provided some foreshadowing of the big day in a November 2006 interview with Cosmopolitan.—
Emy LaCroix,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
Noun
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By all accounts, this was something of a technical marvel that a lucky few backpackers now carefully horde.—
Scott Gilbertson,
Wired News,
18 Apr. 2025
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Today, The Golconda Blue stands not only as a natural marvel but also as a storied jewel, with a provenance bridging continents, dynasties, and centuries.—
Anthony DeMarco,
Forbes.com,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portent. Accessed 24 Apr. 2025.
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