portend

[ pawr-tend, pohr- ]

verb (used with object)

1. to indicate in advance; to foreshadow or presage, as an omen does:

   The street incident may portend a general uprising.

   Synonyms: forebode, betoken, augur, forecast, foretell

2. to signify; mean.

portend

/ pɔːˈtɛnd /

verb

1. to give warning of; predict or foreshadow
2. obsolete.
   to indicate or signify; mean

Other Words From

• unpor·tended adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of portend¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin portendere “to point out, indicate, portend,” variant of prōtendere “to extend”; pro- ¹, tend ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of portend¹

C15: from Latin portendere to indicate, foretell; related to prōtendere to stretch out

Example Sentences

What does that portend for his national political future?

From Los Angeles Times

Next week’s presidential election portends potentially catastrophic consequences depending on who wins.

From Salon

Legal experts warned that while the ruling from above would only affect a handful of voters, it could portend even more interference by the Supreme Court on a larger scale.

From Salon

Regardless, this is a big year for podcasters as it portends how they will play an increasingly influential role in American democracy.

From Salon

That could portend a rollback of rights that the Trump-Vance ticket is today claiming it will protect as it seeks to maintain the GOP coalition.

From Salon

Related Words

• augur
• bespeak
• foretell
• predict
• presage