sinister

Main Entry:: sin·is·ter
Pronunciation:: \ˈsi-nəs-tər, archaic sə-ˈnis-\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Middle English sinistre, from Anglo-French senestre on the left, from Latin sinistr-, sinister on the left side, unlucky, inauspicious
Date:: 15th century

1archaic : unfavorable , unlucky2archaic : fraudulent3: singularly evil or productive of evil4 a: of, relating to, or situated to the left or on the left side of something ; especially : being or relating to the side of a heraldic shield at the left of the person bearing it b: of ill omen by reason of being on the left5: presaging ill fortune or trouble6: accompanied by or leading to disaster

— sin·is·ter·ly adverb

— sin·is·ter·ness noun

synonyms sinister , baleful , malign mean seriously threatening evil or disaster. sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer <a sinister aura haunts the place>. baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly <exerting a corrupt and baleful influence>. malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful <the malign effects of racism>.

Learn more about "sinister" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "sinister" in the Visual Thesaurus

Find Jobs in Your City

Pronunciation Symbols