foreshadow

[ fawr-shad-oh, fohr- ]

verb (used with object)

1. to show or indicate beforehand; prefigure:

   Political upheavals foreshadowed war.

foreshadow

/ fɔːˈʃædəʊ /

verb

1. tr to show, indicate, or suggest in advance; presage

Derived Forms

• foreˈshadower, noun

Other Words From

• fore·shadow·er noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of foreshadow¹

First recorded in 1570–80; fore- + shadow

Example Sentences

The play, like our lives, is circular, the beginning foreshadowing the inevitable end.

From Los Angeles Times

President-elect Donald Trump has blown past an Oct 1 deadline to submit a mandatory ethics pledge, potentially foreshadowing a chaotic handoff between the Biden administration and the second Trump term's team.

From Salon

But researchers funded by the Icelandic government believe that the rapid retreat of glaciers due to climate change is raising the threat to their nation, and may foreshadow increased volcanic activity all over the world.

From Salon

Now that the show's wedding episodes have aired, one can't help wondering if the show’s producers were spooning out a bit of foreshadowing.

From Salon

On Thursday, while speaking at the Detroit Economic Club, he insulted the city and warned that it foreshadowed what would happen to the nation if Harris is elected president.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• augur
• foretell
• imply
• portend
• predict
• prefigure
• presage