Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ominous differ from other similar words?

The words fateful and portentous are common synonyms of ominous. While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

Where would fateful be a reasonable alternative to ominous?

The words fateful and ominous can be used in similar contexts, but fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

When can portentous be used instead of ominous?

Although the words portentous and ominous have much in common, portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

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 ominous If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter. Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2025 Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 29 Sep. 2025 If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2025 Only one of those things was accomplished Saturday, an ominous sign with FoCo games looming against Fresno State, Hawaii and UNLV over the next six weeks. Troy Renck, Denver Post, 28 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ominous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous
Adjective
  • Is their entire a life a facade for something more sinister?
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Drawn in by her fortune and allure, Calvin accepts an invitation aboard her superyacht Eternity, only to realize her glamorous world hides sinister secrets.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Additional revelations hint of Kiri's evolving powers, the menacing Quaritch bonding with Varang to help defeat the Na'vi, a spectacular air/sea clash between the Ash People, the RDA, and the Na’vi, and Spider threatening to kill someone offscreen.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Who’s messing with the lights and filling the air with menacing rumbles and zaps?
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • While there is still a chance that Sanders and Colorado can turn things around, the rest of the season is looking bleak.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Oct. 2025
  • From a bleak job hunt upon her arrival in 2016 to undergoing treatment for her second bout with breast cancer during the uncertainty and fear of COVID, Davis recalls her journey through raw vulnerability and splashes of humor.
    Essence, Essence, 1 Oct. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Ominous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ominous. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ominous

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!