as in sinister
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
that comment about downsizing from the company president sounded ominous
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Recent Examples of ominous
The tightly wound tension is maintained also by Volker Bertelmann’s propulsive score, which starts with ominous juddering groans and keeps shapeshifting throughout.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Last week, the legendary NBC sketch show finally made good on creator Lorne Michaels' ominous promise of big changes coming to SNL ahead of season 51, as several cast and crew members shared bittersweet posts announcing their exits.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025
On Friday, with the second Chapter 11 filing, that financial disclosure seems even more ominous.
—Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Storm clouds that settled in over The Star in Frisco on Thursday night gave for an ominous feeling walking into the first Dallas Cowboys press conference since the shocking trade of Micah Parsons earlier in the day.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 2 Sep. 2025
Last week, the legendary NBC sketch show finally made good on creator Lorne Michaels' ominous promise of big changes coming to SNL ahead of season 51, as several cast and crew members shared bittersweet posts announcing their exits.
—Shania Russell, EW.com, 31 Aug. 2025
On Friday, with the second Chapter 11 filing, that financial disclosure seems even more ominous.
—Miami Herald, 30 Aug. 2025
Storm clouds that settled in over The Star in Frisco on Thursday night gave for an ominous feeling walking into the first Dallas Cowboys press conference since the shocking trade of Micah Parsons earlier in the day.
—Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous
Adjective
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Normally, that would be a recipe for some edge-of-your-seat action, although Ben Hopkins’ script makes clear early on that the bomb is just a distraction, while an even more sinister plot is ticking within the blast radius.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
6 Sep. 2025
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However, when Jess senses something sinister and then mysteriously disappears, Frida must uncover the truth before meeting the same fate.—
Catherine Santino,
PEOPLE,
6 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The bow-sided square manages to harness its own racing legacy, Steve McQueen et al, while still appearing contemporary in its slightly menacing dark suit.—
Thor Svaboe,
Robb Report,
9 Sep. 2025
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If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
7 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Matters only got more bleak in the sixth, when Rushing fouled a ball off his right shin, smoking a ball right above where his guard ended and immediately going down in pain.—
Fabian Ardaya,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
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The one constant is the unhappy couple’s bleak surroundings.—
Adam Solomons,
IndieWire,
5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ominous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ominous. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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