portend

American  

[pawr-tend, pohr-] / pɔrˈtɛnd, poʊr- /

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.

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portend British  

/ pɔːˈtɛnd /

verb

1. to give warning of; predict or foreshadow

2. obsolete to indicate or signify; mean

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Other Word Forms

• unportended adjective

Etymology

Origin of portend

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

Explanation

Portend means to show a sign that something calamitous is about to happen. The teetering, tottering, pile of fine china piled up after the dinner party portends an imminent crash of broken plates and dishes. Portend is a verb warning of omens, or bad signs. Dark clouds rumbling in over a county fair in Kansas portend the thunderstorm and even tornado that is likely to ruin the festivities. Portend is a helpful way for authors to foreshadow dark events ahead in their stories.

Example Sentences

So what does this portend for the future of American politics?

From Salon • Mar. 25, 2026

Does this Super Bowl’s record-breaking A.I. ad splurge also portend a coming pop?

From Slate • Feb. 8, 2026

While a four-year degree now often demonstrates merely acceptable attendance, a certification demonstrates skills, acumen and judgment that portend value in the workplace.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 4, 2026

His insistence that no one is safe until everyone is safe, can seem to portend a future in which no one will ever be safe, though as a teacher I assume he’s more sanguine.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 3, 2026

“Tell me what event might portend success in love?”

From "The Cruel Prince" by Holly Black

Related Words

• augur
• bespeak
• foretell
• predict
• presage