Presage
hardNegative tonePRES-ij
verb/noun
Definition
To be a sign or warning of; an omen or portent
Memory hook
PRE-SAGE: a SAGE who sees things BEFORE they happen — an omen or to foretell.
Word roots
Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.
Examples
“The unusual weather presaged the coming disaster.”
“Many saw it as a presage of things to come.”
Test yourself
Fill in the blank with the right word:
“The unusual weather ______ the coming disaster.”
Show answer
presaged
Categories
GRE Tip
Presage is a hard-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "portend" or "foreshadow" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "follow".
Related GRE Words
portend
To be a sign or warning that something is likely to happen
augur
To foretell or predict, especially from signs or omens; a prophet or soothsayer
foretoken
A sign of something to come; an omen
omen
An event regarded as a sign of future good or evil
prescient
Having knowledge of events before they take place; prophetic
prognosticate
To foretell or prophesy future events
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