portended

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.

The public debut of SpaceX—officially Space Exploration Technologies — portended different things to different investors but was significant for all.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

The staginess that sinks many of his other pictures portended a digital age where all images would trend toward idealized, Photoshopped perfection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 12, 2026

When either, or both, of these signals have triggered five times or more combined within the span of five trading sessions, it has often portended trouble ahead, the SentimenTrader report said.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 5, 2025

Based on how my day started, I reasoned it likely portended a really bad day ahead.

From Salon • Jun. 1, 2024

Becky brought back tales of sea monsters chasing the British fleet and a two-headed calf born outside Philadelphia that portended all manner of disaster.

From "Chains" by Laurie Halse Anderson