ominous

[ om-uh-nuhs ]

/ ˈɒm ə nəs /

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See synonyms for ominous on Thesaurus.com

adjective

portending evil or harm; foreboding; threatening; inauspicious: an ominous bank of dark clouds.

indicating the nature of a future event, for good or evil; having the significance of an omen; being a portent: Some of these events were immediately ominous, while others only later revealed themselves as such.

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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of ominous

First recorded in 1580–90; from Latin ōminōsus “portentous,” equivalent to ōmin- (stem of ōmen ) + -ōsus; see origin at omen, -ous

synonym study for ominous

Ominous, portentous, threatening, menacing, fateful are adjectives describing that which forebodes a serious, significant, and often harmful outcome. Ominous, derived from omen “a predictor of outcomes,” usually suggests evil or damaging eventualities: ominous storm clouds; an ominous silence. Portentous, although it may suggest evil results, often stresses a momentous or very important outcome: a portentous moment in history; a portentous escalation of hostilities. Threatening may suggest calamity or great harm but sometimes mere unpleasantness: a threatening rumble from the volcano; A threatening look from his brother caused him to quickly change the subject. Menacing always suggests serious damage as an outcome: He advanced with a menacing swagger. Fateful most often stresses the great or decisive importance of what it describes: a fateful encounter between two future leaders; a fateful day that changed our world.

OTHER WORDS FROM ominous

om·i·nous·ly, adverbom·i·nous·ness, nounun·om·i·nous, adjectiveun·om·i·nous·ly, adverb

un·om·i·nous·ness, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ominous in a sentence

Law enforcement officials routinely gather information on sites where violent extremists congregate, and members of the public have flagged ominous Twitter and Facebook posts to avert danger.
D.C.’s 911 center saw a spike in suspicious-activity calls after Capitol riot|Fredrick Kunkle|February 19, 2021|Washington Post
Greene has a history of singling out Democrats — especially Pelosi — with threatening and ominous rhetoric.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s endorsement of conspiracy theories, violence sparks calls for her resignation — again|Reis Thebault|January 27, 2021|Washington Post
While the risk landscape is more ominous than it was a year ago, there is also greater momentum to build a more inclusive and sustainable society – and one more prepared to confront global risks.
After the COVID-19 Pandemic We Need to Build More Resilient Countries|Saadia Zahidi|January 19, 2021|Time
That face once seen could never be forgotten, and he was overcome by the ominousness of the meeting.
The False Chevalier|William Douw Lighthall

Too ominous, Mr. Moore thought: let ominousness be kept for one's attitude towards crime.
East Angels|Constance Fenimore Woolson
Despite the ominousness of the times, Mercer continued with the daily routine, the minutiae of which filled his journal.
The Cultural History of Marlborough, Virginia|C. Malcolm Watkins
To him, as to his mother, the circumstance had at once conveyed a suggestion of ominousness, a hint of possible evil tidings.
The Cruise of the Nonsuch Buccaneer|Harry Collingwood
His mother's taciturnity was not without ominousness, but he appeared not to care.
Return of the Native|Thomas Hardy

British Dictionary definitions for ominous

ominous

/ (ˈɒmɪnəs) /

adjective

foreboding evil

serving as or having significance as an omen

Derived forms of ominous

ominously, adverbominousness, noun

Word Origin for ominous

C16: from Latin ōminōsus, from omen

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

ominous

Origin of ominous

synonym study for ominous

OTHER WORDS FROM ominous

Words related to ominous

How to use ominous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ominous

Derived forms of ominous

Word Origin for ominous