Presentiment

Presentiment refers to a vague or intuitive feeling about the future, often characterized by a sense of impending misfortune or an uneasy anticipation. It pertains not merely to mundane expectations but carries a deeper emotional weight, suggesting an almost premonitory awareness of forthcoming events. This term is frequently used in literary, philosophical, or psychological contexts to describe those unexplainable instincts and feelings that arise before a significant event transpires.

Presentiment meaning with examples

• As she stood at the edge of the cliff, a sudden presentiment washed over her, suggesting that something was amiss below. Despite the bright day and the azure sea, a sense of foreboding crept into her heart, provoking questions she couldn't articulate. Her instincts urged her to retreat, but she felt drawn to the ominous beauty of the scenery, reminding her that intuition often speaks louder than reason.
• The soldier had a strange presentiment the day before the battle. He found himself scribbling letters to loved ones, feeling an unseen shadow looming over the horizon. It wasn’t fear alone that gripped him; rather, it was a compelling sensation, as if fate herself had whispered a warning into his ear. The weight of that presentiment lingered throughout the day, overshadowing even the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers.
• After years of carefree living, she began to experience a presentiment of change as she approached her thirtieth birthday. It surfaced not as dread but as a dawning realization that life, with all its unpredictable twists and turns, was about to veer onto a significantly different path. This feeling propelled her to take stock of her desires and aspirations, prompting a period of intense self-reflection.
• In the quiet of the library, surrounded by dusty novels, he encountered a presentiment that felt oddly familiar. The anticipation stirred within him like something was waiting just beyond the pages, an unvoiced connection between the stories he read and a possible future he had yet to discover. This sense of expectation pushed him to delve deeper into literature, hoping to unearth the secrets that lay hidden in the text.