inauspicious

[in-aw-spish-uhs]

adjective

1. not auspicious; boding ill; ill-omened; unfavorable.

   Synonyms: unpromising, ill-timed, unpropitious

inauspicious

/ ˌɪnɔːˈspɪʃəs /

adjective

1. not auspicious; unlucky

Other Word Forms

• inauspiciously adverb
• inauspiciousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of inauspicious¹

First recorded in 1585–95; in- ³ + auspicious

Example Sentences

Most of Peacemaker’s inauspicious circumstances in his prime reality are of his own making.

From Salon

And that’s not even mentioning the wildfires that ravaged Los Angeles for weeks at the beginning of 2025, making the Oscars seem like an inauspicious and even tone-deaf tradition persisting in the face of tragedy.

From Salon

On the domestic front, the situation for the president was equally inauspicious.

From BBC

His successor will face the challenge that Africa’s best formula for peace and security lies in norm-based multilateral cooperation, but 2025 will be an inauspicious year for reviving that project.

From BBC

Wille, standing at 4ft 10in tall, was called to the stage, but it got off to an inauspicious start when she was too short to be able to reach the microphone.

From BBC