as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
this many problems so early in the project is a most inauspicious sign
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of inauspicious
Things got off to an inauspicious start when Air Force One was turned back by mechanical issues.
—
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
This season had an inauspicious start, as the Bobcats lost their first two games.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
This is a telling, inauspicious equivalence.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Rambunctious from the start, he was fired from Romper Room for slapping the camera, an inauspicious show-business entrée if ever there were one.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inauspicious
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
This season had an inauspicious start, as the Bobcats lost their first two games.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
This is a telling, inauspicious equivalence.
—Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Rambunctious from the start, he was fired from Romper Room for slapping the camera, an inauspicious show-business entrée if ever there were one.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 4 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for inauspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inauspicious
Adjective
-
Imagine the surprise, and relief, of all those allied troops who drove into Baghdad without once hearing the ominous cry GAS!—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
10 Mar. 2026
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The murders themselves are obviously very sinister, but the circumstances surrounding them undermine the show’s drama and lean toward the absurd.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
3 Mar. 2026
-
But the updraft that struck Flight SQ321 was of a more sinister sort.—
Burkhard Bilger,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
7 Mar. 2026
-
The firebirds come in a menacing flock.—
Vince Aletti,
New Yorker,
6 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inauspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inauspicious. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
