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 Word Forms

• unportended 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

“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.

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• augur 
• bespeak 
• foretell 
• predict 
• presage