EN

Synonyms for betoken

  • verb

Most common

evidence prove indicate signify bode presage involve

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

1. Indicate — to signify by some visible object; show by signs or tokens

indicate, mark, note, signify, show, mean, evidence, prove, represent, argue, import, imply, manifest, denote, typify, evince, depicture dated

2. Bode — to foreshow by present signs; indicate something in the future by that which is seen or known

bode, presage, portend, omen, augur, foreshadow, prefigure, prognosticate, forebode, forecast, predict, foretell, presignify, auspicate, foreshow dated

3. Bespeak

bespeak, point, signal

Other

involve, attest

Definitions

  1. v. 1

    To signify by some visible object; show by signs or tokens.

    There be other 2 signes in often use of which the first is made thus + and betokeneth more : the other is thus made – and betokeneth lesse.

  2. v. 2

    To foreshow by present signs; indicate something in the future by that which is seen or known.

    “ Ah ! hospitable land, thou (nevertheless) betokenest war,” i. e., although hospitable, thou nevertheless betokenest war. — Bello.

Forms

Past participle
betokened
e.g. betokened → indicated, marked, noted, signified…

Choose the right word

Betoken or Forebode?

We forebode misfortune either from circumstances that betoken failure, or from gloomy fancies for which we could not give a reason.

J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)

Example sentences

  • evidence From this evidence it follows that he is innocent.
  • prove Further study will prove that the theory is right.
  • indicate Indicate size, color, and style on the order form.
  • signify Clouds signify the veil of the Most High.
  • bode The sound of a trumpet will bode the end of the world.
  • presage A crow's cry at midnight was said to presage death in the village.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
betokensteady
evidencesteady
provesteady
indicatefalling
signifyrising
boderising

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters
show1, mean1, mark1, note1, omen2, bode1
5 letters
point1, prove1, argue2, imply2, augur2
6 letters
signal2, import2, denote2, attest2, typify3, evince2
7 letters
involve2, predict2, signify3, presage2, portend2, bespeak2
8 letters
evidence3, indicate3, forecast2, manifest3, foretell2, forebode2, foreshow
9 letters
represent3, prefigure, depicture, auspicate
10 letters
foreshadow3, presignify
13 letters
prognosticate4

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (omen2 = 2 syllables).