Foreboding: meaning, definitions and examples

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foreboding

 

[ fษ”rหˆboสŠdษชล‹ ]

Noun / Adjective
Context #1 | Noun

feeling

A feeling that something bad is going to happen; premonition.

Synonyms

apprehension, dread, ominous.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
foreboding

Use 'foreboding' to describe a deep, intense feeling that something bad is going to happen. This word often carries a heavy, serious connotation.

  • She had a sense of foreboding as she entered the old, abandoned house.
  • The dark clouds cast a foreboding shadow over the village.
apprehension

Use 'apprehension' to describe a mild worry or anxiety about something in the future. It doesn't necessarily imply something terrible is going to happen, but there is an unease.

  • He felt a bit of apprehension about starting his new job.
  • There was a sense of apprehension among the students before the test.
dread

Use 'dread' when referring to a very strong fear or anxiety about something unpleasant or threatening. This word implies a stronger emotional response than 'apprehension'.

  • She felt dread at the thought of giving a speech in front of so many people.
  • He was filled with dread as he waited for the results of the medical tests.
ominous

Use 'ominous' to describe something that appears threatening or likely to cause fear, often through a sign or an event. It is used to suggest that something bad or harmful is going to happen.

  • The ominous storm clouds gathered on the horizon.
  • There was an ominous silence in the room after the news was announced.

Examples of usage

  • She couldn't shake off the sense of foreboding that had been haunting her all day.
  • The dark clouds overhead gave him a sense of foreboding.
Context #2 | Adjective

atmosphere

Implying or seeming to imply that something bad is going to happen.

Synonyms

ominous, sinister, threatening.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
foreboding

Used to describe a strong feeling that something bad is going to happen. It is often associated with an internal sense of unease or worry.

  • She had a sense of foreboding before the storm hit
  • The dark clouds gave him a feeling of foreboding
ominous

Used to describe something that gives the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen. It often refers to external signs or events.

  • The ominous clouds gathered on the horizon
  • The silence in the room was ominous, hinting at bad news to come
sinister

Used to describe something that seems evil or harmful. It often implies a sense of danger or a hidden threat.

  • There was something sinister about the way he smiled
  • The old house had a sinister appearance under the moonlight
threatening

Used to describe something that poses a danger or seems likely to cause harm. It often conveys a clear and direct sense of menace.

  • The threatening behavior of the storm made everyone seek shelter
  • Her tone was threatening, making it clear she was not to be crossed

Examples of usage

  • The foreboding atmosphere in the old abandoned house sent shivers down her spine.
  • His foreboding words made her uneasy about the future.

Translations

Translations of the word "foreboding" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น pressentimento

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคชเฅ‚เคฐเฅเคตเคพเคญเคพเคธ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช bรถses Vorzeichen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ firasat buruk

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะตั€ะตะดั‡ัƒั‚ั‚ั

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ przeczucie

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไธๅ‰ใชไบˆๆ„Ÿ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท prรฉsage

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ presentimiento

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท iรง sฤฑkฤฑntฤฑsฤฑ

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ถˆ๊ธธํ•œ ์˜ˆ๊ฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุดุนูˆุฑ ุณูŠุก

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pล™edtucha

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ predtucha

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไธ็ฅฅ็š„้ข„ๆ„Ÿ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ slutnja

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ รณnotatilfinning

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะฐะผะฐะฝ ัะตะทั–ะผ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฌแƒ˜แƒœแƒแƒ—แƒ’แƒ แƒซแƒœแƒแƒ‘แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ pis hiss

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ presentimiento

Etymology

The word 'foreboding' originated from the Middle English word 'forboden', which meant 'to announce or foreshow'. It evolved over time to carry the meaning of a sense of impending evil or misfortune. The concept of foreboding has been present in various cultures and folklore, often associated with superstitions and omens. People have long been fascinated by the idea of predicting the future, and the word 'foreboding' captures this sense of anticipation, whether positive or negative.

See also: forebodingly.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #20,827, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.