The distant thunder portended a storm. If you're superstitious, a black cat portends trouble.

Recent Examples on the Web

That could portend another ominous gap between the popular vote and the all-important electoral vote tally. Damon Linker, TheWeek, "Is Joe Biden's polling advantage weaker than it appears?," 26 Aug. 2020

Four years later, the lack of a clear, consistent message could portend trouble. Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller, Jonathan Lemire, Anchorage Daily News, "Radical or moderate? Trump paints Democratic ticket as both," 13 Aug. 2020

Some of the same dynamics could portend an energized electorate in November that could tip Florida to Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden. Anthony Man, sun-sentinel.com, "Demographic change + coronavirus + racial justice movement combine to produce sweeping change in Broward," 20 Aug. 2020

Four years later, the lack of a clear, consistent message could portend trouble. Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller, Jonathan Lemire, Anchorage Daily News, "Radical or moderate? Trump paints Democratic ticket as both," 13 Aug. 2020

Efforts to reopen state economies continue despite another surge in diagnoses that may portend a second wave of the infection. Paul Bedard, Washington Examiner, "White House Report Card: Bad polls, virus surge vs. Flynn win, 200th judge," 27 June 2020

Four years later, the lack of a clear, consistent message could portend trouble. Jill Colvin, Zeke Miller, Jonathan Lemire, Anchorage Daily News, "Radical or moderate? Trump paints Democratic ticket as both," 13 Aug. 2020

The lower-than-statewide turnout, so far, for Broward and Miami-Dade counties in the August primaries and nonpartisan elections may not portend anything for November. Anthony Man, sun-sentinel.com, "Possible implications for Biden and Trump as Broward lags and Palm Beach County far ahead in mail and early voting," 12 Aug. 2020

Four years later, the lack of a clear, consistent message could portend trouble. Arkansas Online, "Radical or moderate? Trump paints Democratic ticket as both," 12 Aug. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'portend.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.