as in premonition
a feeling that something bad will happen
a nagging presentiment of danger
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 presentiment
Toni has been reluctant to let Amalie go out by herself—her bringing back a telescope seems to confirm some kind of fear, or presentiment.
—
Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2024
His presentiments had been right, but all those garlic pills and pulse recordings had done nothing to save him.
—Gillian Silverman, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
The lavishness turns quickly into horror — Godwin gives us buckets of blood unasked for in the original — and then into a presentiment of Lear on the heath.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2020
Seen from behind, men and women bundled up in heavy coats are saturated with a mute presentiment, that of people beginning to endure.
—Han Kang, Harper's magazine, 10 Feb. 2019
Those years, of course, marked respectively the peak of the frenzied optimism of the last business cycle and the first chilling presentiments of what was to come.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2019
During the 1919 scenes she is occasionally stopped in her tracks by presentiments of what’s in store around the corner.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017
Willing Davidson, The New Yorker, 21 July 2024
His presentiments had been right, but all those garlic pills and pulse recordings had done nothing to save him.
—Gillian Silverman, The New Yorker, 15 July 2023
The lavishness turns quickly into horror — Godwin gives us buckets of blood unasked for in the original — and then into a presentiment of Lear on the heath.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 19 Jan. 2020
Seen from behind, men and women bundled up in heavy coats are saturated with a mute presentiment, that of people beginning to endure.
—Han Kang, Harper's magazine, 10 Feb. 2019
Those years, of course, marked respectively the peak of the frenzied optimism of the last business cycle and the first chilling presentiments of what was to come.
—Gerard Baker, WSJ, 25 Jan. 2019
During the 1919 scenes she is occasionally stopped in her tracks by presentiments of what’s in store around the corner.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presentiment
Noun
-
Each movie centered on a character who has a premonition of a horrific and deadly event.—
Borys Kit,
HollywoodReporter,
8 Aug. 2025
-
The film series follows groups of people who escape their impending deaths after someone receives a premonition about their doom, saving them from their grisly fate.—
Leia Mendoza,
Variety,
25 July 2025
Noun
-
The brand utilizes unique technology to provide a cushiony feel that helps alleviate joint pain.—
Taylor Lane,
Flow Space,
20 Aug. 2025
-
The oak tree On the flag, a chartreuse oak tree sits on the left side, symbolizing Overland Park’s park-like feel with 84 parks in the city and its Tree City USA designation.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
20 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Shifting toward the ideals of a 2.0 World, Crone hopes that the human default state of limitation, fear, and suffering will become oriented toward freedom, love, and boundless possibility.—
Wyles Daniel,
USA Today,
28 Aug. 2025
-
Washington said the federal takeover in Washington has sparked fear, particularly among people who plan to visit the District next month for the Congressional Black Caucus’ annual conference.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
As West’s stock grew in the Nashville entertainment scene, his background and prior business dealings began to raise suspicions among Nancy’s closest friends.—
Cheyenne Roundtree,
Rolling Stone,
28 Aug. 2025
-
The suspicion that West Ham United are falling apart is palpable.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
27 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Yet by then, parents may have a bigger worry, nutrition advocates warn.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
26 Aug. 2025
-
Follow these five steps to log off without the worry.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
-
Andrew Skeet and Nathan Klein’s orchestral original score sets an appropriate tone of mournful foreboding.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 June 2025
-
Early in President Donald Trump’s second term, European leaders and many U.S. defense and security experts were anticipating this week’s NATO summit with foreboding.—
Howard LaFranchi,
Christian Science Monitor,
23 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Presentiment.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presentiment. Accessed 3 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share