Find Synonyms
foreshadowing Synonyms
Another word for foreshadowing
Choosing another word for foreshadowing depends on context, so the 17 synonyms and similar words below are separated across 3 exact definitions and ranked by match strength.
• noun (Context 1)
A literary device in which a writer gives an advance hint of what is to come later in the story.
Usage Example
"The sudden storm in the opening chapter served as dramatic prefiguration of the family's impending conflict."
Strongest
prefiguration
Strong
adumbration
foretoken
• noun (Context 2)
A warning, sign, or indication of a future event.
Usage Example
"The early frost was a clear omen of the harsh winter that lay ahead."
Strong
omen
portent
presage
harbinger
premonition
foreboding
augury
• verb (Context 3)
To act as a warning or sign of a future event (present participle of foreshadow).
Usage Example
"Dark clouds were gathering on the horizon, portending a severe afternoon thunderstorm."
Strongest
portending
presaging
Strong
prefiguring
boding
auguring
heralding
signaling
Opposites of foreshadowing
The opposite of foreshadowing shifts depending on context. Common opposites include:
flashback
hindsight
retrospection
• Nearby Words
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Synonyms for Foreshadowing. In Wordmom Thesaurus. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/synonyms/foreshadowing