foreboding
5 synonyms and 1 antonym for foreboding, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A strong feeling that something bad is about to happen.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
A strong feeling that something bad is about to happen.
“A sense of foreboding settled over the crew before the storm hit.”
2. adj
Suggesting that something bad is coming; ominous.
“The sky turned a foreboding shade of grey.”
Opposites
How to use foreboding
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
sense of foreboding
foreboding atmosphere
Etymology
From fore- + bode ("to foretell") + -ing.
Full origin of foreboding →Frequently asked questions
What does “foreboding” mean?
The word “foreboding” means a strong feeling that something bad is about to happen. In plain terms, a gut feeling — or an atmosphere — that suggests something bad is on the way.
How do you use “foreboding” in a sentence?
Here is “foreboding” used in a sentence: “A sense of foreboding settled over the crew before the storm hit.”
What part of speech is “foreboding”?
Depending on how it is used, “foreboding” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “foreboding” have?
“Foreboding” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a strong feeling that something bad is about to happen.
