Thesaurus results for FORESHADOWING

foreshadowing 1 of 2

noun

fȯr-ˈsha-də-wiŋ

Definition of foreshadowing

as in forerunner

something believed to be a sign or warning of a future event the hero's strange encounter with a grave digger is often seen as a foreshadowing of his own death

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

foreshadowing

2 of 2

verb

present participle of foreshadow

as in predicting

to give a slight indication of beforehand a series of small tremors that foreshadowed the massive earthquake the next day

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of foreshadowing

Noun

With Hokum’s foreshadowing of a downbeat conclusion — and considering the rest of McCarthy’s filmography — Ohm’s survival feels unlikely. — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 1 May 2026 The writer relies on an omniscient point of view, using foreshadowing and flashbacks as well as multiple locations. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Apr. 2026

Verb

The word also refers, indirectly, to the story itself, foreshadowing the twists and turns to come. — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 When asked if these renovations are foreshadowing an upcoming announcement — perhaps of Charlotte hosting a Super Bowl — Coleman said no plans are currently in place. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for foreshadowing

Recent Examples of Synonyms for foreshadowing

Noun

Margaret and Alice are the forerunners of Lucy and Ethel, and Shakespeare’s comedy, written expressly to entertain, gives us a sense of what an Elizabethan-era situation comedy might look like.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026
One of the forerunners today in Madeira and the Azores is António Maçanita from Azores Wine Company.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of forerunner

Verb

Processor defenses leave a tiny opening Modern processors improve performance by predicting which path a program is likely to follow and beginning the work before the correct path is confirmed.

— Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 28 Aug. 2026
But predicting what will be Roman's greatest accomplishments over the course of its five-year-mission is a tricky business.

— Joe Palca, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of predicting

Noun

The cuisine was also noteworthy, a generous choice of cocktails, wines, and cuisine with hints of contemporary English inspiration, while avoiding being British stodgy.

— Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Warsh is unlikely to reveal his approach before the task forces report but at Jackson Hole the whole world will be looking for hints regarding his plans to reshape the Fed.

— Paul Wachtel, The Conversation, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of hint

Noun

Losing to the Clippers was the precursor to the Jazz blowing up their team a year later; Utah only came out of hibernation this past summer.

— John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
But fantasy sports, an almost quaint precursor to the instantaneous forms of gambling proliferating now, remains hugely prevalent.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of precursor

Verb

The Honduran man, according to the criminal complaint filed in federal court, called the agent a slur describing a female dog and referenced the midterm elections, implying federal agents could be charged for crimes if Republicans lost power.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Some investors, trying to read the tea leaves, interpreted that as a potential warning that more conservative guidance is on the horizon, implying that a turnaround will likely take more time.

— Vicki M. Young, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of implying

Noun

His mode of reiteration and attenuation is an ominous portent for the future of fiction.

— David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
Things are also tough for their friends, Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao (William Gao), whose constant bickering seems to be an ominous portent for their on-again-off-again relationship.

— David Mack, CNN Money, 17 July 2026

Definition of portent

Verb

However, the two bodies are already anticipating an additional cost to taxpayers associated with both future elections, JCEB Democratic Director Sara Zorich said at a July 30 hearing for Perkins’ unsuccessful lawsuit to stop the vote.

— Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 2 Sep. 2026
Among those anticipating a move, 60% cited lowering housing and maintenance costs as a reason.

— Nia Bowers, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026

Definition of anticipating

Browse Nearby Words

foreshadowers

foreshadowing

foreshadowings

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Foreshadowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/foreshadowing. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of foreshadowing

noun

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes