as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
in an ill-boding turn of events, the government began rounding up political dissidents
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ill-boding
Adjective
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If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 Feb. 2026 -
The image finds the actors during an ominous twilight hour somewhere in coastal Taiwan.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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The Redfellow wealth is old money — which in the age of the Epstein files is starting to acquire a more sinister aura than ever.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
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Often lush, but occasionally sinister, this is a France of rustic auberges rather than refined arrondissements.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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That grandiosity simmers down into terrifying chase soundtracks and menacing hunter's heartbeats as the movie continues, but the after-image of those glorious strings lingers through the rest of the franchise.—
Alex Galbraith,
Entertainment Weekly,
15 Feb. 2026
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House music thumped in the background like the heartbeat of a menacing jungle cat.—
Josh Miller,
Southern Living,
10 Feb. 2026
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Cite this Entry
“Ill-boding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-boding. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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