portentous
of the nature of a portent; momentous.
ominously significant or indicative: a portentous defeat.
marvelous; amazing; prodigious.
Origin of portentous
1synonym study For portentous
Other words for portentous
Other words from portentous
- por·ten·tous·ly, adverb
- por·ten·tous·ness, noun
- non·por·ten·tous, adjective
- non·por·ten·tous·ly, adverb
- non·por·ten·tous·ness, noun
- un·por·ten·tous, adjective
- un·por·ten·tous·ly, adverb
- un·por·ten·tous·ness, noun
Words that may be confused with portentous
- portentous , pretentious
Words Nearby portentous
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use portentous in a sentence
Now interestingly, while many Norse sources and their modern interpretations represent the Valkyries as noble female spirits imbued with beauty and power, the original Germanic narratives tended to portray them in a more portentous manner.
20 Fascinating Creatures of Norse Mythology | Dattatreya Mandal | November 2, 2022 | Realm of HistoryCernunnos is arguably the most visually impressive and rather portentous of ancient Celtic gods.
15 Powerful Ancient Celtic Gods and Goddesses | Dattatreya Mandal | June 24, 2022 | Realm of HistoryAs such, there is a portentous quality here that can occasionally get in its own way.
Little moments are portentous of grand sweeping changes, and big, dramatic moments are meaningless to all but the few involved.
Dudes and Maudes Abide at New York City Lebowski Fest | Rich Goldstein | August 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTThese portentous rumblings aside, no coherent position on ectogenesis has emerged so far within the pro-life movement.
The Artificial Womb Will Change Feminism Forever | Samantha Allen | August 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Ultimately, though, it is difficult to see the point of this rather portentous book.
Behind these macho moves lie some pretty dramatic and portentous policy decisions.
Leslie H. Gelb: North Korea, U.S. Headed to Brink of War, Unnoticed | Leslie H. Gelb | April 1, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTThere was the most portentous picture of a Griffin on the first page, with verses below.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II | Rudyard KiplingRipperda roused himself from his portentous trance, and arrayed his noble figure in the rugged habiliments of the muleteer.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4 | Jane PorterThe Briton, holding the documents in a pudgy hand, looked at the swift-gestured director with portentous solemnity.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol | William J. LockeAgain my soul trembled with anguish, for that strange portentous word, 'death,' was ever written within me or without.
Second Edition of A Discovery Concerning Ghosts | George CruikshankThe wedding is a portentous affair, lasting all day from early morning, and the bride and bridegroom remain in the house.
Spanish Life in Town and Country | L. Higgin and Eugne E. Street
British Dictionary definitions for portentous
/ (pɔːˈtɛntəs) /
of momentous or ominous significance
miraculous, amazing, or awe-inspiring; prodigious
self-important or pompous
Derived forms of portentous
- portentously, adverb
- portentousness, noun
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
Browse