as in to indicate
to serve as a sign or symptom of the humor in his writing is never cruel, and betokens a warm and compassionate heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 betoken Both the hosting of the Games and the adoption of the euro in 2001 seemed to betoken an unaccustomed self-confidence, optimism and national pride among Greeks. Alan Cowell, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2025 The book betokens an acceptance of ever-encroaching mortality. Christina Cacouris, The New Yorker, 24 Sep. 2024 Ted Kennedy’s 31% in Iowa and 37% in New Hampshire in 1980 betokened a long and bitter campaign for Jimmy Carter. Ross Douthat, The Mercury News, 17 Jan. 2024 While many stations have had their tiles replaced, the tiles at those two are original (dating from 1910 and 1906, respectively), betokened by their rich luster and fine cracks, like those seen in oil paintings. Andrew Martin, Travel + Leisure, 15 Jan. 2024 Organized at the Baltimore Museum of Art by curator Jessica Bell Brown, the show betokens long overdue attention to the still active 96-year-old Pittsburgh sculptor, as did a long Feb. 13 interview in The New York Times. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 26 May 2023 Too few, however, appreciate the birth, emergence and arrival of those remarkable organisms the insects, whose three pairs of legs, segmented bodies and exoskeletons betoken membership in what might be the most species-rich, profuse, and downright fascinating collection of living things. David P. Barash, WSJ, 8 Apr. 2021 The culture worker strikes also betoken something of a return to an earlier time of unionism. Alissa Quart, The New Republic, 29 Nov. 2022 Improbabilities compound and betoken a deeper murkiness in the novel’s vision. New York Times, 5 Apr. 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for betoken
Verb
  • Kim is one of several Democrats to indicate a willingness to let the government shut down if Republicans can't reassure them that their spending directives will actually be implemented.
    Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 11 Feb. 2025
  • The two paintings contain few elements that might signal a tree – a concentration of lines near the center, lines that could be branches or a central trunk and lines that could indicate the ground or a horizon.
    Mitchell Newberry, The Conversation, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • An illustrious modeling career means Elsesser is often jet-setting the globe, and as a result, her time at home has become her vacation time.
    Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 11 Feb. 2025
  • At the time of the film’s release in theaters in October, both Crowe and Adria Petty talked with Variety about what the very belated re-release of the film after more than 40 years meant to them.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • But Butler’s debut signified the Warriors’ most hopeful moment in months, an introduction of a superstar who seems to blend well into their system, helps solve their biggest weaknesses and accentuates Curry, who has been dying for a co-star for a few seasons.
    Anthony Slater, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
  • Senior night signified the beginning of the end of an era for Alanas Castillo and his family.
    Jeff Vorva, Chicago Tribune, 8 Feb. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near betoken

Cite this Entry

“Betoken.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/betoken. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.

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