EN

Synonyms for foreshadow

  • verb
  • noun

Most common

predict bode foretell portend adumbrate

All synonyms

Verb

1. Portend

portend, predict, foretell, bode, augur, prefigure, prognosticate, forecast, betoken, forebode, auspicate, prophesy, foreshow dated

Other

adumbrate

Noun

presage, portent, omen, augury, prognostic, auspice, foretouch, prognostication, foretoken

Definitions

  1. v. 1

    To suggest (someone or something) in advance; to prefigure, to presage.

  2. n. 1

    A suggestion of something in advance; a harbinger, a portent.

Related words

Word family
foreshadowing

Forms

Plural
foreshadows → presages, portents, omens, auguries…
Past participle
foreshadowed
e.g. foreshadowed → portended, predicted, boded, augured…

Example sentences

  • predict Tom actually believed he could predict the future.
  • bode The sound of a trumpet will bode the end of the world.
  • foretell It's completely impossible to foretell his reaction.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
foreshadowsteady
predictsteady
boderising
foretellsteady
portendsteady
adumbratesteady

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

By length

4 letters
omen2, bode1
5 letters
augur2
6 letters
augury
7 letters
predict2, portent2, presage2, portend2, auspice2, betoken
8 letters
forecast2, prophesy, foretell2, forebode2, foreshow
9 letters
prefigure, adumbrate, auspicate, foretouch, foretoken
10 letters
prognostic
13 letters
prognosticate4
15 letters
prognostication5

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