as in portent
something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event
some people still believe that a black cat crossing your path is a bad omen
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of omen
In some cultures, they were feared as omens of bad luck or even linked to witchcraft.
—
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The temptation to read the white things of this novel as metaphors or omens is hard to resist.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
Based on the omens and mathematical trends the next successful United manager isn't due for a while.
—Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Owls With their piercing gaze, silent flight and haunting calls, owls are often seen as omens of death in folklore.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 14 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for omen
Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025
The temptation to read the white things of this novel as metaphors or omens is hard to resist.
—Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 14 Jan. 2025
Based on the omens and mathematical trends the next successful United manager isn't due for a while.
—Charlotte Harpur, The Athletic, 23 Dec. 2024
Owls With their piercing gaze, silent flight and haunting calls, owls are often seen as omens of death in folklore.
—Brandi D. Addison, Austin American-Statesman, 14 Oct. 2024
See All Example Sentences for omen
Recent Examples of Synonyms for omen
Noun
-
Weinstein’s thuggish joke was just one portent of the edgy, borderline sinister air that permeated the party from the very beginning.—
Scott Huver,
The Hollywood Reporter,
28 Feb. 2025
-
The slogan could also be seen as a portent of Netflix’s continued dominance of the modern entertainment industry.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
The most obvious forerunner is Video Quartet, a 2002 work in which four screens show four videos simultaneously, each constructed from myriad film clips, all synced in a way that interlaces their soundtracks into a musical composition.—
Jonathon Keats,
Forbes.com,
28 Mar. 2025
-
Solution #4: Charles Schwab Schwab, a forerunner in discount brokerage, has a bank subsidiary that can do what banks usually do.—
William Baldwin,
Forbes,
16 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Odds and prediction for the Goodyear 400 Kyle Larson is the favorite to win the race at +400 odds on DraftKings Sportsbook, followed by Tyler Reddick (+650), Denny Hamlin (+650), Ryan Blaney (+750) and William Byron (+800).—
Shane Connuck,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Apr. 2025
-
However, that this prediction came before the introduction of tariffs for goods coming from outside the U.S., so this may not turn out to be accurate.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
These signs seem to confirm Sahm’s augury that the economy remains healthy.—
David Thomas,
Forbes,
16 Oct. 2024
-
The auguries were not favorable for a Pétain acquittal.—
Robert O. Paxton,
Harper's Magazine,
17 Dec. 2023
Noun
-
The Dreamgirls star provided some foreshadowing of the big day in a November 2006 interview with Cosmopolitan.—
Emy LaCroix,
People.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
Could this be a foreshadowing of how the Opening Day lineup might look?—
Katie Woo,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
In addition, neighborhoods would no longer be required — as a precursor to meters — to test out two-hour and three-hour parking zones enforced by chalking tires instead of meters.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Apr. 2025
-
Directed by Arthur Penn, who brought a bold visual style, frank sexuality and graphic, balletic violence to a Hollywood dominated by optimistic pictures, this countercultural romance served as a precursor to the generational tension and mistrust in authority that was quietly pervading the country.—
Travis Bean,
Forbes.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
There’s a kind of implicit prayer in this that the withering of today’s Hollywood system is a presage for something better, giving the entire production a painful, nostalgic quality that tugs at your chest even as what unfolds before you is remarkably dumb.—
Nicholas Quah,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2025
-
In politics, there are liars and better liars How the Biden administration helped avoid a coup in Guatemala China’s meddling in Taiwan election presages year of misinformation threats Need help keeping up with this tumultuous election?—
Washington Post,
Washington Post,
12 Jan. 2024
Noun
-
Looking for Thursday’s Wordle hints, clues and answer?—
Erik Kain,
Forbes.com,
4 Apr. 2025
-
If that fails, DeepMind suggests intensive stress testing and monitoring to watch for any hint that an AI might be turning against us.—
Ryan Whitwam,
ArsTechnica,
3 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Omen.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/omen. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share