forebode

verb

(ˌ)fȯr-ˈbōd How to pronounce forebode (audio)
variants also forbode
Definition of forebodenext
as in to promise
to show signs of a favorable or successful outcome the dry summer doesn't forebode well for the harvest

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

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 forebode 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 Despite the difficulty, in some cases the stakes are so high—as with North Korea and its nuclear weapons—that armies will have no choice but to take the fight to what is often a vast, foreboding underworld. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 27 June 2023 There are foreboding close-ups on clock faces and their fast-changing digits. — Erica Gonzales, ELLE, 23 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for forebode
Recent Examples of Synonyms for forebode
  1. promise
  2. bode
Verb
  • The couple was ready to back out, but the contractor promised to repair the damage at no extra cost, and an inspector said that Pinky’s bones were still good.
    — Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 27 Aug. 2026
  • Samsung also promises improved video quality at night, calling it brighter and clearer with less noise.
    — James Peckham, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of promise
Verb
  • This did not bode well with the Love Island USA fanbase and Miller and Pessoa took to social media to defend their stance.
    — Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 28 June 2026
  • That bodes extremely well for plane spotting out in broad daylight this summer.
    — Florence Ion, PC Magazine, 27 June 2026
Definition of bode

Browse Nearby Words

forebears
forebode
foreboded
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forebode.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/forebode. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of conscientious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

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

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

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

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

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

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

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All