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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Recent Examples of portend
His involvement portends aggressive expansion of the chain, which sells sports cards, trading cards and memorabilia.
—
David Moin, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Next weekend portends a double whammy of Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 18 May 2025
The logline portends a comedy, possibly a parody, even a satire.
—Robert Lloyd, Twin Cities, 3 July 2025
An order from an unnamed, first-time customer for $1.7 billion in private jets last night could portend a new player in the global business aviation market.
—Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
David Moin, Footwear News, 24 May 2025
Next weekend portends a double whammy of Lilo & Stitch and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning.
—Nancy Tartaglione, Deadline, 18 May 2025
The logline portends a comedy, possibly a parody, even a satire.
—Robert Lloyd, Twin Cities, 3 July 2025
An order from an unnamed, first-time customer for $1.7 billion in private jets last night could portend a new player in the global business aviation market.
—Doug Gollan, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portend
Verb
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Rain showers and periodic storms are possible every day through Tuesday before humidity and heat were expected to build again in the Chicago area, the weather service predicted.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
19 July 2025
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The National Weather Service in Indianapolis predicted strong and potentially severe thunderstorms Saturday afternoon into the evening, and the rain has just arrived.—
Katie Wiseman,
IndyStar,
19 July 2025
Verb
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The event promises to enhance Milan’s international appeal and Cortina’s status as a luxury ski resort destination.—
Martino Carrera,
Footwear News,
15 July 2025
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The news closely followed Microsoft’s Aurora announcement, an AI foundation model that promises to revolutionize not just weather forecasting but environmental prediction broadly.—
Renny Vandewege,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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If 28 Days Later presaged our post-9/11 paranoia and dread, 28 Years Later settles into the resigned gloom of our modern age, where everything is rubbish and only getting worse.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
20 June 2025
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Editors’ Picks On the fashion runways that presage coming trends in more than just clothes, models’ bodies are shrinking once again.—
Amanda Hess,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Anyone who would like to get connected to treatment, or knows someone who does, can call 1-800-563-4086 or visit connectgnh.org at any day or time.—
Hartford Courant,
Hartford Courant,
14 Feb. 2023
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Breakouts might call for the Salicylic + Green Tea Exfoliating Cleanser and Aloe + Algae Lightweight Gel Cream, whereas dry skin might crave a boost of moisture from the Hyaluronic + Arnica Hydrating Serum.—
Lisa DeSantis,
Allure,
14 Feb. 2023
Verb
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Which picture you’re drawn to today may foretell your future directions...—
Nielsen Dinwoodie,
Forbes.com,
21 July 2025
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For example, a docking in geosynchronous orbit could foretell an emerging capability for China to approach, capture, and disable another country's satellite.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
8 July 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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Perhaps her mother would share an anecdote about June’s childhood stubbornness, which, looking back, appears to augur every stupidly heroic thing that followed.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
27 May 2025
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The uncertainty over that bedrock constitutional question augurs future cases that will clarify the scope of transgender rights.—
Stephen Humphries,
Christian Science Monitor,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portend.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portend. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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