foreshadowing
noun
fore·shad·ow·ing
fȯr-ˈsha-də-wiŋ 
plural foreshadowings
: an indication of what is to come
If the history of the world were a novel, the events so strikingly chronicled in the photographs in this book … would seem a foreshadowing of the recent events …—
Ralph Novak
Ralph NovakOn this merry Christmas evening, however, no fears or dim foreshadowings of any coming event clouded our hearts or faces.—Lucy Maud Montgomery
Lucy Maud Montgomery
also
: the use of such indications (as in a work of literature)
And, further, Rose is a genuine cliff-hanger, or page-turner, full of foreshadowing … and all the tried and tricky methods of creating suspense. —John Simon
John Simon Synonyms
Examples of foreshadowing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Here, the staging can feel redundant, especially since it is burdened with foreshadowing and obvious symbolism: In case the bludgeoning was too subtle, Lucas’s version of the stations of the cross reaches a peak — or, more appropriately, a low — on Christmas Eve.
—Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024
Robbie explained that the opening scene, especially when released as a trailer, serves as a foreshadowing of the narrative turns to come — in Kubrick’s 2001, the monolith appears and then humanity evolves around it, and that mirrors the way Barbie’s introduction to the world reset culture.
—Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Jan. 2024
Jesus also washed the feet of his disciples and shared a foreshadowing of Judas’ betrayal at the Garden of Gethsemane.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024
The Instant Dream Home host also added a cheeky nod to Erivo’s green dress — a foreshadowing of her upcoming role as Elphaba in the movie version of Wicked.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024
If the Rams lose a playoff game on a special teams mistake, the foreshadowing has been extensive.
—Greg Beacham, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024
As the stalwart nun resolutely sets out to achieve her goals, there’s no shortage of old movie-style foreshadowing in the script by Monteverde and Rod Barr.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024
Now to the movie’s striking modern-day foreshadowings.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2024
But rather than signaling an end to combat, the move was more likely a foreshadowing of a new phase in Israel’s struggle against Hamas.
—Colin P. Clarke, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2024
Elisabeth Vincentelli, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2024
Robbie explained that the opening scene, especially when released as a trailer, serves as a foreshadowing of the narrative turns to come — in Kubrick’s 2001, the monolith appears and then humanity evolves around it, and that mirrors the way Barbie’s introduction to the world reset culture.
—Seija Rankin, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Jan. 2024
Jesus also washed the feet of his disciples and shared a foreshadowing of Judas’ betrayal at the Garden of Gethsemane.
—Marina Johnson, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024
The Instant Dream Home host also added a cheeky nod to Erivo’s green dress — a foreshadowing of her upcoming role as Elphaba in the movie version of Wicked.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 10 Mar. 2024
If the Rams lose a playoff game on a special teams mistake, the foreshadowing has been extensive.
—Greg Beacham, USA TODAY, 2 Jan. 2024
As the stalwart nun resolutely sets out to achieve her goals, there’s no shortage of old movie-style foreshadowing in the script by Monteverde and Rod Barr.
—Frank Scheck, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 Feb. 2024
Now to the movie’s striking modern-day foreshadowings.
—Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2024
But rather than signaling an end to combat, the move was more likely a foreshadowing of a new phase in Israel’s struggle against Hamas.
—Colin P. Clarke, Foreign Affairs, 5 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'foreshadowing.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near foreshadowing
Cite this Entry
“Foreshadowing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/foreshadowing. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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