ill-boding

adjective

ˈil-ˈbō-diŋ How to pronounce ill-boding (audio)
Definition of ill-bodingnext
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
  1. ominous
  2. sinister
  3. menacing
Adjective
  • Admittedly, Mitchell is fairly creative in sketching the run-up to the dinosaur takeover, which includes ominous signs such as long-extinct plant life taking root overnight.
    — Peter Tonguette, The Washington Examiner, 22 Aug. 2026
  • An international cast fueled a show that featured people gifted with superpowers around the world that had a mysteriously ominous connection.
    — Maira Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • But now Disney has shared more of what’s coming to the sinister territory just beyond the spires of the park’s Wildest Ride in the Wilderness.
    — Megan duBois, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2026
  • In the more familiar galaxy far, far away, their friends Hera Syndulla, Ezra Bridger, Zeb Orrelios and Chopper must face the powerful Grand Admiral Thrawn and his sinister allies, who seek to plunge the fledgling New Republic into war.
    — Angeline Jane Bernabe, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • Georgia lurks as well — Kirby Smart seems to coach up a menacing defense every year.
    — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Gregory drew her as mean, menacing, and thoroughly indifferent to male-centric standards of beauty and decorum.
    — Rob Salkowitz, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of menacing
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

ill-beings
ill-boding
ill-bred
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Cite this Entry

“Ill-boding.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ill-boding. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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