The word forebode means to predict or sense that something negative or unpleasant is likely to happen in the future. It is often used to describe a feeling of dread or an ominous sign that suggests something bad is on the way. Below are sentences and explanations highlighting the word forebode:
- The dark storm clouds forebode a heavy rainfall that could flood the streets.
- The silence in the room seemed to forebode bad news, leaving everyone anxious.
- Her uneasy feeling seemed to forebode an accident on the drive home.
- The sudden change in the wind forebodes trouble for sailors out at sea.
- The eerie silence in the house forebodes an unsettling presence.
- His harsh words seemed to forebode the end of their friendship.
- The loud thunderclap foreboded a violent storm approaching the town.
- The director’s grave tone forebode that the meeting was about to take an unpleasant turn.
- His failure to show up to the meeting foreboded the collapse of the partnership.
- The scent of decay in the air seemed to forebode the building’s inevitable collapse.
Synonyms:
- Predict
- Foretell
- Warn
- Prophesy
- Portend
- Herald
- Signal
- Announce
- Presage
- Augur
Antonyms:
- Assure
- Confirm
- Promise
- Guarantee
- Encourage
- Reassure
- Brighten
- Hope
- Prove
Related Words:
- Omen
- Warning
- Prediction
- Sign
- Prophecy
- Premonition
- Intuition
- Indicator
- Presage
- Prophesy
Phrasal Verbs:
- Bode well: To indicate something positive or promising for the future (the opposite of forebode).
- Bode ill: To indicate something negative or troublesome, similar to forebode.
- Look forward to: To anticipate something positively, which contrasts with forebode as it expresses hope.
Idiomatic Expressions:
- The writing’s on the wall: To see signs or omens that indicate something negative is about to happen, similar to foreboding.
- A bad omen: A sign that something negative or harmful is likely to happen, often in line with forebode.
- See the handwriting on the wall: To recognize the signs of impending trouble, much like foreboding or foreboding feelings.
- Something’s rotten in the state of Denmark: An expression meaning that something is wrong or that bad things are likely to happen, inspired by Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” and close to foreboding.
To forebode means to intuitively sense or predict that something undesirable or ominous is likely to happen in the future. Often, foreboding feelings arise when one detects subtle signs or an uneasiness about a situation, even without clear evidence of the impending event. While foreboding often points to ominous or foreseen negative outcomes, it can also be a signal to prepare or adjust to prevent such events.