foreboding
pronunciation
How to pronounce foreboding in British English:
UK [fɔ:ˈbəʊdɪŋ]
How to pronounce foreboding in American English:
US [fɔrˈboʊdɪŋ]
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- Noun:
- a feeling of evil to come
- an unfavorable omen
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- Adjective:
- of ominous significance
Word Origin
- foreboding (n.)
- late 14c., "a predilection, portent, omen," from fore- + verbal noun from bode. Meaning "sense of something bad about to happen" is from c. 1600. Old English equivalent form forebodung meant "prophecy." Related: Forebodingly.
Synonym
Example
- 1. A sense of foreboding descended over the rival bankers .
- 2. Japan 's assent to yen appreciation in the 1980s -- and the subsequent damage its economy suffered -- is a more recent historical episode full of foreboding for beijing .
- 3. In the chancelleries of the european union applause for the opposition movements still jostles with foreboding .
- 4. Behind the scenes , however , some of the brightest minds in the german government have a sense of deep foreboding .
- 5. In 30 years of following french presidential races , I have never seen one played out against such a background of foreboding and anxiety .