Did you know?
It may seem like a stretch to say that portend, beloved verb of seers, soothsayers, and meteorologists alike, is related to tendon—the word we use to refer to the dense white fibrous tissue that helps us, well, stretch—but it’s likely true. Portend comes from the Latin verb portendere (“to predict or foretell”), which in turn developed as a combination of the prefix por- (“forward”) and the verb tendere (“to stretch”). Tendere is thought to have led to tendon, among other words. So you might imagine portend as having a literal meaning of “stretching forward to predict.” In any event, the history of the word surely showcases the flexibility of our language.
Examples of portend in a Sentence
John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
One slight glimmer of trouble may be Prism, a success story that may portend failure down the line.
—Scott Tobias, Vulture, 23 Mar. 2025
To be sure, the sheer pace of China’s rally could portend a correction soon, according to analysts at Bank of America.
—Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 19 Mar. 2025
The return to war in Gaza has dragged in the Houthis and could portend an eventual attack on Iran
The renewal of war in Gaza, coupled with conflict involving the Houthis, could lead to further escalation including Iran.
—Daniel Estrin, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for portend
Cite this Entry
“Portend.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/portend. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
portend
verb
Share