forebode

verb

fore·​bode (ˌ)fȯr-ˈbōd How to pronounce forebode (audio)
variants or less commonly forbode
foreboded also forboded; foreboding also forboding; forebodes also forbodes

transitive verb

1
: to have an inward conviction of (something, such as a coming ill or misfortune)
… she looked eagerly in his face, not quick to forebode evil, but unavoidably conscious that the state of the family had changed …Nathaniel Hawthorne
2
: foretell, portend
Such dark clouds forebode a storm.
foreboder noun

Examples of forebode in a Sentence

the dry summer doesn't forebode well for the harvest
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
With the third season of The White Lotus well underway—and its signature sense of foreboding steadily mounting—cast member Michelle Monaghan was in anything but ominous spirits last night at The Mark Hotel. Laura Neilson, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2025 Too on-the-nose to be foreboding, such clips offer a window into Linda’s mindset, as do antagonistic sessions with her therapist (and co-worker), amusingly played by Conan O’Brien with a look of constant gastric discomfort on his face that suggests her concerns may be giving him ulcers. Peter Debruge, Variety, 24 Jan. 2025 Musically, buoyant dance-pop and explosive love-centric choruses took the place of Rated R’s penchant for foreboding rock ‘n’ roll. Kyle Denis, Billboard, 19 Nov. 2024 But are these fantastical, often foreboding musical sequences just in Arthur’s head, or somehow a deeper connection between the two? Fawnia Soo Hoo, refinery29.com, 7 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for forebode

Word History

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of forebode was in 1603

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forebode.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forebode. Accessed 18 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

forebode

verb
fore·​bode
variants also forbode
fōr-ˈbōd,
fȯr-
1
: to have a feeling that something especially unfortunate is going to happen
2
: foretell, portend
the heavy air forebodes a storm
foreboder noun
foreboding
-ˈbōd-iŋ
noun
forebodingly
-iŋ-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on forebode

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