What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
foreboding
Example
The dark clouds and thunder were a foreboding of the storm to come. [foreboding: noun]
Example
She had a foreboding feeling that something bad was going to happen. [foreboding: adjective]
harbinger
Example
The first snowfall of the year was a harbinger of the long winter ahead. [harbinger: noun]
Example
The sudden drop in the stock market was seen as a harbinger of an economic recession. [harbinger: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Foreboding is less common than harbinger in everyday language. Harbinger is a more versatile word that can be used in a wider range of contexts, while foreboding is more specific and often used in literary or dramatic contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between foreboding and harbinger?
Both foreboding and harbinger are formal words that are more likely to be used in written or academic contexts rather than in casual conversation.
