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 picture that's emerged is ominous.
—
Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Adames had an ominous start to his Giants’ career.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
But unleash the foley artists (sound designers), and the flora's dripping slime and ominous pulsing are infinitely more threatening, as a soldier learns to fatal cost later in the season.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Rønning does get his own kick-ass score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, all ominous throbbing, but can’t come up with anything visually distinctive.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
Gabrielle Emanuel, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Adames had an ominous start to his Giants’ career.
—Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
But unleash the foley artists (sound designers), and the flora's dripping slime and ominous pulsing are infinitely more threatening, as a soldier learns to fatal cost later in the season.
—Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025
Rønning does get his own kick-ass score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, all ominous throbbing, but can’t come up with anything visually distinctive.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 7 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous
Adjective
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One memorable moment comes early, when another call between Polly and her mother tilts into dread as the voice on the phone morphs into a more callous, sinister being.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
11 Oct. 2025
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Meanwhile, Jonathan and Mina Harker return to Transylvania with their teenage daughter, Quincey — only for her to be ensnared in the castle’s sinister games.—
Eric E. Harrison,
Arkansas Online,
11 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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There are far more menacing 4X space game series out there, but Galactic Civilizations is an extremely welcoming experience for new players while still offering a bunch of depth and strategic choices for players to make.—
Fran Ruiz,
Space.com,
14 Oct. 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,
14 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Meanwhile, things are looking bleak for John Cena’s Chris Smith.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
10 Oct. 2025
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But while these models are enthrall Environmental activist Jane Goodall, who died Wednesday at the age of 91, understood the bleak projections from climate scientists — and the economic and political structures that hinder change.—
Esther Zuckerman,
Time,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ominous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ominous. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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