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
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.
Recent Examples of presage
Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024
This combination presages what could be big performance and battery life improvements, along with some intriguing new ways of working.
—Michael J. Miller, PCMAG, 21 May 2024
Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
And just as that communication breakdown presaged an explosion, so too did this one.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presage
Noun
As the ending of the story perhaps presages, Martha is on the cusp of a change in her life.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024
This combination presages what could be big performance and battery life improvements, along with some intriguing new ways of working.
—Michael J. Miller, PCMAG, 21 May 2024
Verb
Shot in a series of long takes, Rope is edited to look like one long, continuous scene, presaging the technique that Alejandro G. Iñárritu would employ in his Oscar-winning Birdman.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 Jan. 2025
And just as that communication breakdown presaged an explosion, so too did this one.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presage
Noun
-
Plants a few miles away and has filled the apartment with enormous trees in ceramic pots, giving the rooms a bohemian feel.—
Lisa Boone,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Apr. 2025
-
The dress cinched slightly at her midsection before flowing into a softly pleated skirt, giving it that breezy, romantic feel that’s perfect for spring.—
Robyn Merrett,
StyleCaster,
21 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Indeed, VistaVision was the forerunner of IMAX 65mm, with its horizontal orientation.—
Bill Desowitz,
IndieWire,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The company plans to recreate the mammoth, dodo, and Tasmanian tiger, or thylacine, by editing the genome of each species’ closest living relative to make a hybrid animal that would be visually indistinguishable from its extinct forerunner.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Models predict that most meteorites – over half – should also be carbonaceous.—
Patrick M. Shober,
The Conversation,
14 Apr. 2025
-
Imagine walking into a meeting where one project manager is using AI to automate reporting, predict risks, and optimize resources in real-time, while another is still relying on manual tracking and outdated tools.—
Chris Gallagher,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
CSAs have often been precursors to broader agreements among countries.—
Ngaire Woods,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Apr. 2025
-
Many people at Saturday’s protest worried that the ruling could be the precursor to other judgments that diminish the rights of transgender people.—
Kwiyeon Ha and Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Hayes said he’s had to take a leave of absence from his job over the fear of what might happen to his family.—
Harriet Ramos,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
17 Apr. 2025
-
In that case, sour consumer sentiment also served as a major source of fear.—
Max Zahn,
ABC News,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Weinstein’s thuggish joke was just one portent of the edgy, borderline sinister air that permeated the party from the very beginning.—
Scott Huver,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Feb. 2025
-
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
Noun
-
Bits and pieces to friends, tender moments and worries to others.—
Kristina Goetz,
USA Today,
13 Apr. 2025
-
This is important because lower yields can help the economy and are the typical bond reaction during worries about economic growth.—
Bill Stone,
Forbes.com,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Trump's experience with special elections as omens Republicans now have 220 House seats, Democrats 213.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
-
Trump has had experience with the omens special elections can carry.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presage. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share