1
as in feel
a feeling that something bad will happen
I had a nagging presage that the results of my medical tests would not be good
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in forerunner
something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event
the sight of the first robin is always a welcome presage of spring
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in to predict
to tell of or describe beforehand
people used to believe that a comet presaged a major event, such as the death of a king
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of presage
Jennifer Culp, Them, 16 Aug. 2024
As the ending of the story perhaps presages, Martha is on the cusp of a change in her life.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024
Time, 28 May 2025
Those wins usually presage a best picture victory, especially because the producers guild uses a preferential ballot similar to the Academy’s.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presage
Noun
The New Moon in Virgo, which occurs shortly after Mercury turns direct, presages really big beginnings throughout the zodiac.
—Jennifer Culp, Them, 16 Aug. 2024
As the ending of the story perhaps presages, Martha is on the cusp of a change in her life.
—Deborah Treisman, The New Yorker, 28 July 2024
Verb
Yet the Foundling’s system was entirely presaged on the idea that some people’s origins need to be concealed.
—Time, 28 May 2025
Those wins usually presage a best picture victory, especially because the producers guild uses a preferential ballot similar to the Academy’s.
—The Learning Network, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presage
Noun
-
Just off the sand, antique shops and farm stands along the streets of Southampton give it a small-town feel.—
AFAR Media,
AFAR Media,
14 July 2025
-
Where To Eat In Berlin, Maryland Start The Day At A Classic Diner Rayne's Reef Soda Fountain and Grill has a throwback feel that's genuine.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 July 2025
Noun
-
The killer is a man who, for all his delusions, pokes at the other men’s complacency and domesticity — making this thriller a forerunner of everything from Easy Rider to The Hitcher to Collateral. 20.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
27 June 2025
-
Here is a look at some of the most likely forerunners to serve as the 267th pope, according to public reporting.—
Caitlin McFall,
FOXNews.com,
21 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Unlike the 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard that meteorologists predicted days in advance, this storm was harder to pinpoint, said National Weather Service meteorologist David Beachler at the time.—
Kori Rumore,
Chicago Tribune,
7 July 2025
-
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the region through Monday evening, predicting potential rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, with isolated amounts up to 10 inches.—
Brandi D. Addison,
Austin American Statesman,
7 July 2025
Noun
-
But then cut again several months, when, in fact, Lucas' premonition proved accurate, and Jaws essentially invented the modern summer blockbuster and became the biggest moneymaker ever.—
Jordan Hoffman,
EW.com,
21 June 2025
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Whether this would have been a sort of origin story for the series’ premonitions or simply a gory period piece is unclear.—
Louis Peitzman,
Vulture,
22 May 2025
Noun
-
Chinese authorities have since controlled a number of these precursor chemicals.—
Simone McCarthy,
CNN Money,
12 July 2025
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As a precursor of sorts for CBS stalwart Survivor (which returns for its 49th edition on September 24), Big Brother is the perfect reality appetizer before the ultimate main course.—
Marc Berman,
Forbes.com,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The threat remains, but the public’s fears, along with the movies that explored them, have faded away.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
-
Humanitarian workers—many idealistic and committed—fear that sounding the alarm will end operations altogether.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Appearances aren’t deceptive; the portents are grim.—
Christian Schneider,
National Review,
12 June 2025
-
Thus, the negative GDP change should not be taken as a portent of looming disaster.—
Bill Conerly,
Forbes.com,
6 May 2025
Noun
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Their visits to the ophthalmologist are now every six months, but Maggie admits the worry never quite fades.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
7 July 2025
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Meanwhile, there was hand-wringing in the NASCAR garage over headlines about high crime and worries about whether the Cup Series cars would be able to have a good show on such a narrow course.—
Jeff Gluck,
New York Times,
6 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presage. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
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