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

Example Sentences

“The overall weakness in the crypto space is indicative of a softening retail bid, which portends lighter buying forces for U.S. stocks in the short-run, especially the higher beta areas,” Torres said.

From MarketWatch

Amid fading light, the delicate fledglings fluttered in a wind portending a storm.

From Los Angeles Times

When either, or both, of these signals have triggered five times or more combined within the span of five trading sessions, it has often portended trouble ahead, the SentimenTrader report said.

From MarketWatch

She said the AI giant’s conversion to a new structure doesn’t portend an imminent public offering as the company prioritizes growth and R&D over profitability.

From The Wall Street Journal

But the staggering rate of volunteerism on behalf of Mamdani’s campaign is evidence that the story of his candidacy — and what it could portend for Democrats — reaches far beyond the five boroughs.

From Salon

Related Words

• augur
• bespeak
• foretell
• predict
• presage