Synonyms for presage
- verb
- noun
Most common
Synonyms by meaning
Verb
foreshadow, portend, foretell, predict, omen, bode, augur, threaten, prophesy, forecast, betoken, call, divine, prefigure, prognosticate, vaticinate formal, foretoken, auspicate, forehold, forespell, foresee, anticipate
Noun
1. Portent
portent, foretelling, premonition, augury, foreboding, prediction, prognostic, prognostication, foreknowledge, prodigy, auspice, prophecy
Other
Definitions
- v. 1
To predict or foretell something.
- n. 1
A warning of a future event; an omen.
Related words
- Word family
- presageful
Choose the right word
We augur well for a voyage from past good fortune and a good start; we presage success from the stanchness of the ship and the skill of the captain.
J. C. Fernald, English Synonyms and Antonyms (1914)
Example sentences
- predict Tom actually believed he could predict the future.
- foretell It's completely impossible to foretell his reaction.
Popularity over time
| Word | 1850 → 2019 | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| presage | steady | |
| predict | steady | |
| foreshadow | steady | |
| foretell | steady | |
| portend | steady |
Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.
By length
- 4 letters
- call1, omen2, bode1
- 5 letters
- augur2
- 6 letters
- divine2, augury
- 7 letters
- predict2, foresee2, prodigy3, portent2, portend2, auspice2, betoken
- 8 letters
- forecast2, threaten2, prophecy3, prophesy, foretell2, forehold
- 9 letters
- prefigure, foretoken, auspicate, forespell
- 10 letters
- prediction3, anticipate4, foreboding3, prognostic, foreshadow3, vaticinate
- 11 letters
- premonition4, foretelling3
- 12 letters
- presentiment
- 13 letters
- foreknowledge, prognosticate4
- 15 letters
- prognostication5
The small number after each word is its number of syllables (omen2 = 2 syllables).