Definition

1. Verb:
   • To serve as a warning or indication of (a future event): To foreshadow or predict something, typically something significant or ominous, often through signs or omens.
   • To be a sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • The strange silence in the forest seemed to portend danger.
  • Dark clouds on the horizon often portend a storm.
  • Some believed the comet's appearance portended a great change in the kingdom.

Advanced Usage

• "to portend well/ill for": To be a good or bad sign for the future of something.
  • The early election results portend well for the incumbent party.
  • The sudden drop in sales portends ill for the company's future.

Variants and Related Words

• Portent (n): A sign or warning that something, especially something momentous or calamitous, is likely to happen; an omen.
  • The black cat was seen as a portent of bad luck.
• Portentous (adj): Of or like a portent; done in a pompously or overly solemn manner so as to impress.
  • He spoke in a portentous tone about the coming challenges.

Synonyms

• Foreshadow: To be a warning or indication of (a future event).
• Augur: (of an event or circumstance) portend a good or bad outcome.
• Presage: Be a sign or warning of (an imminent event, typically an unwelcome one).
• Bode: Be a portent of a particular outcome.

Related Phrases

• "to portend disaster": To strongly indicate that a disaster is coming.
  • The cracks in the dam wall portend disaster for the valley below.
• "to portend change": To signal that a significant change is imminent.
  • The new technological advances portend a major change in how we work.

Verb

1. indicate by signs
   • These signs bode bad news