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
There’s an ominous final shot of Kayleigh, the Rat who assaulted Ciri in the previous episode, looking at a scroll that promises a fat bounty for her capture.
—
Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
The day seemed over hung by an unnatural darkness, as if some thing large and ominous was hovering over head.
—Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Kidd opted to play Russell sparingly off the bench in his first two regular season contests after an ominous preseason run, starting 6-foot-10 rookie forward Cooper Flagg at the point instead.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Though conventional in its concept (family moves into house, spirits possess family, paranormal investigators exorcize spirits), the movie's significance comes from its execution, which electrified audiences with ominous clapping hands and expert control of tension.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
Scott Meslow, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2025
The day seemed over hung by an unnatural darkness, as if some thing large and ominous was hovering over head.
—Joel M. Vance, Outdoor Life, 29 Oct. 2025
Kidd opted to play Russell sparingly off the bench in his first two regular season contests after an ominous preseason run, starting 6-foot-10 rookie forward Cooper Flagg at the point instead.
—Alex Kirschenbaum, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Oct. 2025
Though conventional in its concept (family moves into house, spirits possess family, paranormal investigators exorcize spirits), the movie's significance comes from its execution, which electrified audiences with ominous clapping hands and expert control of tension.
—Michael Lee Simpson, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous
Adjective
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But as old tensions flare between them, Katie begins to experience terrifying visions and a ghostly presence warning of something sinister lurking aboard.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
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Which casts a show seemingly designed to bypass all judgments with respect to storytelling and taste, gliding straight to the pleasure center of some imaginary horny, enraged, shopaholic feminine id, in a fairly sinister light.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
10 Nov. 2025
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The film ends with Dek standing alongside Thia and Bud, his new clan, as a large, menacing Yautja ship appears on the horizon.—
Adam B. Vary,
Variety,
10 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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When everything looks bleak, a woman holds it up victoriously.—
Kieran Press-Reynolds,
Pitchfork,
6 Nov. 2025
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New York — US stocks closed lower Thursday as concerns mounted about expensive tech stocks, and a risk-off sentiment spread through markets after new data showed a bleak outlook for the job market.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ominous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ominous. Accessed 16 Nov. 2025.
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