premonition

noun

pre·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌprē-mə-ˈni-shən How to pronounce premonition (audio) ˌpre- How to pronounce premonition (audio)
Synonyms of premonition
1
: previous notice or warning : forewarning
2
: anticipation of an event without conscious reason : presentiment

Synonyms of premonition

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Examples of premonition in a Sentence

She had a premonition that he would call. she had a premonition that her cat would somehow get hurt that day
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But these were mere hints and premonitions of the kind of sway that humans now hold. — Literary Hub, 23 Oct. 2026 Last year, Vandermeer’s premonition came true in a very personal way. — Bernard Condon, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 At school one day, their son, Cheol, has a premonition that something has happened to his mother. — E. Tammy Kim, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026 Last year, Vandermeer's premonition came true in a very personal way. — ABC News, 11 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for premonition

Word History

Etymology

Middle English premunition, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin premunition-, premunitio, alteration of Late Latin praemonitio, from Latin praemonēre to warn in advance, from prae- + monēre to warn — more at mind

First Known Use

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of premonition was in 1533

Rhymes for premonition

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Browse Nearby Words

premonish
premonition
premonitor
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Cite this Entry

“Premonition.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/premonition. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

premonition

noun
pre·​mo·​ni·​tion ˌprē-mə-ˈnish-ən How to pronounce premonition (audio) ˌprem-ə- How to pronounce premonition (audio)
: a feeling that something is going to happen
a premonition of disaster
premonitory
pri-ˈmän-ə-ˌtōr-ē, 
-ˌtȯr-
adjective
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