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
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Recent Examples of inauspicious
Sunday’s border battle at Wisconsin began in an inauspicious manner for the Minnesota women’s basketball team.
—
Staff Report, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for inauspicious
Staff Report, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for inauspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inauspicious
Adjective
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Those citing such ominous scenarios envisioned other possible dangers, including the debilitation of America’s security guarantees to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf oil exporters.—
Paul Blustein,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Certain signs, such as the recent decree by the municipal authorities of Damascus confining the sale of alcohol to Christian neighborhoods, are ominous.—
Alvaro Vargas Llosa,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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White noise swirls like smoke and Kenyan guest vocalist Lord Spikeheart’s sinister laughter punctuates the murk.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
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As labor complications ensue, a blizzard rages outside trapping the family in their home – sitting ducks for whatever sinister presence might be in there with them.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
At least there’s a hot new young Professor Snape, played by Paapa Essiedu, looking absolutely as menacing as an adaptation of the first book requires.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
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Feds investigate pizza doxxings of judges An influx of menacing pizza deliveries to unsuspecting judges has prompted a federal investigation, The Gavel has learned.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inauspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inauspicious. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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