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
Michelle Stacey, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The ominous warning presages the societal problems that ensue when consanguinity is widespread.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
The timing may have seemed inauspicious, but in hindsight, the debut of the 3940 presaged a new era for Patek Philippe, marked by serial production of complicated timepieces.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presage 
Noun
In a presage of a confessional media environment still far in the future, Peters’ struggles with weight were part of her public persona—and, as with Oprah Winfrey and Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch, key to her business pitch.
—Michelle Stacey, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The ominous warning presages the societal problems that ensue when consanguinity is widespread.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
Verb
But for a moment that presaged a post-Covid era of good feelings, flash back to February.
—Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024
The timing may have seemed inauspicious, but in hindsight, the debut of the 3940 presaged a new era for Patek Philippe, marked by serial production of complicated timepieces.
—Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 26 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for presage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presage
Noun
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Several of the other bedrooms also have skylights and views of the grounds, as well as spacious closets and private bathrooms finished with rare stones and custom metalwork that give each their own subtle feel.—
Emma Reynolds,
Robb Report,
8 Feb. 2025
-
This is a place to check one’s personal life at the door, and the occasional intrusions from outside feel forced.—
Inkoo Kang,
The New Yorker,
8 Feb. 2025
Noun
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While Cal State Fullerton isn’t the first campus to launch a Project Rebound program, the university has been among the forerunners in its expansion, becoming a model for Project Rebound programs at the other universities in the CSU system.—
Lou Ponsi,
Orange County Register,
28 Jan. 2025
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Each night, Americans were reminded of the crisis on TV, as ABC created nightly reports called America Held Hostage with Ted Koppel, the forerunner to Nightline.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
29 Dec. 2024
Verb
-
Fundamental research in the biology of branching helps cure cardiovascular diseases and cancer, design materials that can heal themselves and predict how trees will respond to a changing climate.—
Mitchell Newberry,
The Conversation,
11 Feb. 2025
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That’s the part that’s really difficult to predict and build into an analysis.—
Megan Poinski,
Forbes,
11 Feb. 2025
Noun
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The movie’s terrifying dénouement emerges in another seven-minute shot, in which hints and premonitions are transformed into passions and horrors and in which landscape—and, as per the title, a seascape—appear not simply as backdrops but as dramatic and intellectual engines of the story.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
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Final Destination 5 begins with Sam Lawton (Nicholas D'Agosto) saving his co-worker's lives (and ruining their work retreat) after having a premonition about a bridge collapse.—
Randall Colburn,
EW.com,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Humidity Think of humidity as the precursor to mold and mildew.—
Rabekah Henderson,
Southern Living,
8 Feb. 2025
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Has Antioxidant Potential Spaghetti squash is packed with beneficial phytonutrients, including vitamins C and E, beta carotene (a precursor to vitamin A), folate, vitamin B12, and selenium.—
Lauren O'Connor, MS,
Health,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Volodymyr Zelensky spoke in a week when a phone call between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US counterpart Donald Trump raised fears in Kyiv that it was being frozen out of negotiations, with the White House also downplaying the prospects of Ukraine joining NATO.—
Caitlin Danaher,
CNN,
15 Feb. 2025
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People often dream of taking that leap, but many are hampered by the fears of what might be.—
Josh Hammer,
Newsweek,
15 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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
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The Dead Zone maintains key big-picture threads from the book and movie — the malevolent rising-star politician, the apocalyptic portent — while taking advantage of its format, succeeding as both a procedural and a long-term story.—
Chris Snellgrove,
EW.com,
22 Dec. 2024
Noun
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Eventually, optimism and relief won over fears and worries, rallying stocks.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
14 Feb. 2025
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Democrats have criticized the group’s reach, expressing worry that Musk has too much control over governmental operations.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
12 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near presage
Cite this Entry
“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presage. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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