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Definitions

portend

[pawr-tend, pohr-] / pɔrˈtɛnd, poʊr- /
VERB
foreshadow, indicate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
augur bespeak foretell predict presage
STRONG
adumbrate betoken bode call forebode forecast foreshow forewarn harbinger herald hint omen prognosticate promise prophesy read threaten
WEAK
be in the cards crystal-ball foretoken have a hunch point to premonish see coming warn of

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So what does this portend for the future of American politics?

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

This does not portend an all-around divestment from America.

From Slate • Mar. 20, 2026

But investors might not be aware of the fact that extreme positioning in the options market can sometimes portend a reversal of fortune ahead.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

While a four-year degree now often demonstrates merely acceptable attendance, a certification demonstrates skills, acumen and judgment that portend value in the workplace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

The Greeks had an old saying, too: “Red beard and blue eyes portend the Devil.”

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides