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 strikes portend a tough winter ahead for Ukraine, as Russia aims to make life harder for Ukrainians and sap their morale.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

That has left some investors worried that the rally is kicking up the kind of froth that often portends a downturn.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And that is a shape that portends well for regional lenders.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Well, bond markets are split between worrying that a U.S. jobs slowdown portends weak growth and fear that politicians pouring fuel on the smoldering embers of inflation will eventually stoke another fire.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And it doesn’t portend well for another try at the White House in 2028, should the former vice president and U.S. senator from California pursue that path.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• augur 
• bespeak 
• foretell 
• predict 
• presage