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 ominous weather comes as a record-breaking number of Americans were predicted to travel over the holiday weekend.
—
John Bacon, USA Today, 26 May 2025
The recent bond-market struggles are being treated by a growing chorus of investment professionals as an ominous message about the unreliability of once-safe assets, the obsolescence of the balanced stock-bond portfolio and the need for new sources of diversification.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 May 2025
As her gala gets closer and Devon burrows deeper into the house’s orbit, Michaela’s ominous serenity cracks into something a bit more human.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
There’s a shift in the second to last episode when Michaela suddenly becomes not ridiculous or ominous, but self-aware and human and someone who very clearly sees what a fraud her life has been.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
John Bacon, USA Today, 26 May 2025
The recent bond-market struggles are being treated by a growing chorus of investment professionals as an ominous message about the unreliability of once-safe assets, the obsolescence of the balanced stock-bond portfolio and the need for new sources of diversification.
—Michael Santoli, CNBC, 26 May 2025
As her gala gets closer and Devon burrows deeper into the house’s orbit, Michaela’s ominous serenity cracks into something a bit more human.
—Caroline Framke, Vulture, 22 May 2025
There’s a shift in the second to last episode when Michaela suddenly becomes not ridiculous or ominous, but self-aware and human and someone who very clearly sees what a fraud her life has been.
—Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous
Adjective
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By the end of the season, President George W. Bush arrives at the family’s doorstep, masquerading as Rumi’s friend while barely concealing his sinister intentions.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
2 June 2025
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Idyllic getaways unravel into haunting mysteries, exposing the sinister secrets lurking beneath sunlit shores, mountain retreats and bustling boardwalks; Jessica Biel narrates.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
31 May 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,
8 June 2025
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Make that the second scariest, as Claire’s antics bring another menacing character into their lives, when her dealer, Jackie (Domhnall Gleeson), shows up at Echo Valley looking for 10 grand in heroin.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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The somewhat bleak outlook was laid bare Tuesday night after the USMNT was thrashed 4-0 by Switzerland during a friendly in Nashville.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
11 June 2025
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Instead of learning from this bleak recent history, Americans are now painfully absorbing this lesson by repeating it.—
Jonathan Haskel,
Foreign Affairs,
10 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ominous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ominous. Accessed 16 Jun. 2025.
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