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
Michelle Stacey, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The ominous warning presages the societal problems that ensue when consanguinity is widespread.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
Jordan Riefe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Horton’s promotion was presaged by the Season 2 finale, which found his antagonist Hagan poised to become the next president.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presage
Noun
In a presage of a confessional media environment still far in the future, Peters’ struggles with weight were part of her public persona—and, as with Oprah Winfrey and Weight Watchers founder Jean Nidetch, key to her business pitch.
—Michelle Stacey, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 May 2024
The ominous warning presages the societal problems that ensue when consanguinity is widespread.
—Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 19 Nov. 2019
Verb
The response presaged the film’s Golden Lion victory at the festival.
—Jordan Riefe, Los Angeles Times, 30 Dec. 2024
Horton’s promotion was presaged by the Season 2 finale, which found his antagonist Hagan poised to become the next president.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 31 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for presage
Recent Examples of Synonyms for presage
Noun
-
All these sensory details are Volvo's expertise, giving its vehicles a premium feel.—
Emily Forlini,
PCMAG,
5 Mar. 2025
-
From bulbous shoes with upturned vamps to pleated pants puffed away from the body, the collection’s doll-like garments took on a larger-than-life feel.—
Elizabeth Grace Coyne,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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In 1914, Frank Newman opened the Royal Theatre which was a forerunner to movie palaces in the city, a significant departure from nickelodeons.—
Michael Wells,
Kansas City Star,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Hammond, the school’s forerunner, won its fourth straight 3A sectional title in 2008.—
Michael Osipoff,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Women possessed by the gods were oracles, predicting the future in cryptic utterances.—
Vipin Bharathan,
Forbes,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Tremble didn’t have the 2024 season that many predicted.—
Alex Zietlow and,
Charlotte Observer,
9 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
But his coach had a premonition that his run for a title could happen.—
Steve Gorches,
Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2025
-
The movie’s terrifying dénouement emerges in another seven-minute shot, in which hints and premonitions are transformed into passions and horrors and in which landscape—and, as per the title, a seascape—appear not simply as backdrops but as dramatic and intellectual engines of the story.—
Richard Brody,
The New Yorker,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Planned a year in advance, essentially right after the previous Oscars ceremony has wrapped, the glamorous precursor to Hollywood’s biggest night comes together thanks to a production team filled with hard-working, movie-loving craftspeople.—
Sharareh Drury,
People.com,
1 Mar. 2025
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Zelenskyy wants that deal to be a precursor to Trump guaranteeing support for Ukraine if Russia violates a potential peace agreement.—
Dan Mangan,Christina Wilkie,
CNBC,
28 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The bottom line: Before the latest wave of volatility and emergence of recession fears, America's most important corporate decision-makers were becoming more wary of the growth outlook.—
Neil Irwin,
Axios,
12 Mar. 2025
-
The country passed a law last month banning foreign political donations over fears about potential interference in this week’s vote.—
Scott Roxborough,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Mar. 2025
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
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The natural threat of the caterpillars has shown up in cultural expressions as a symbolic portent of human mortality, Battisti points out.—
Ivan Amato,
Scientific American,
30 Jan. 2025
Noun
-
Trade tensions and signs of slowing growth have led to worries that a recession could be looming.—
Auzinea Bacon,
CNN,
9 Mar. 2025
-
Those worries were only amplified by his State of the Union speech.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA TODAY,
8 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Presage.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/presage. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.
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