foreshadow

American  

[fawr-shad-oh, fohr-] / fɔrˈʃæd oʊ, foʊr- /

verb (used with object)

1. to show or indicate beforehand; prefigure.

   Political upheavals foreshadowed war.

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foreshadow British  

/ fɔːˈʃædəʊ /

verb

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

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Other Word Forms

• foreshadower noun

Etymology

Origin of foreshadow

First recorded in 1570–80; fore- + shadow

Example Sentences

But there was a twist that foreshadows the uncertain new path of Venezuela’s leaders.

From The Wall Street Journal

It is ironic that Harrison’s protest against taxation ended up foreshadowing private markets’ capture of artistic value.

From The Wall Street Journal

The Tokyo figures, which often foreshadow nationwide trends, showed price pressures easing at the start of 2026.

From The Wall Street Journal

In a move that foreshadowed Parton’s future as a feminist firebrand of her time, she contracted a lawyer and found a room for her daughters and herself in the Marlboro Hotel in Boston.

From The Wall Street Journal

I wish I’d noted that line as foreshadowing, but just like any good mystery, the clues are only evident in hindsight.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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