OMINOUS. Synonyms: 85 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

ominous

adjective

ˈä-mə-nəs

Definition of ominous next

as in sinister

being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come that comment about downsizing from the company president sounded ominous

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 Our biggest hint of something more ominous comes in the narrative's other segment. —

Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026 Stay vigilant by monitoring the sky for ominous signs and listening for the telltale sound of thunder. —

Southern California Weather Report, Oc Register, 9 Apr. 2026 During the movie, the ominous saxophone line starts playing moments before the character Ricky is chased down by rival gang members and shot in the back. —

Luke Chinman, PEOPLE, 8 Apr. 2026 The Red Sox offense battled back throughout a tense affair, one heightened by a Willson Contreras hit-by-pitch and his ominous words after the game. —

Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 7 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ominous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous

Adjective

Needless to say, something very sinister and deadly lies at the end of their path.

— Dennis Harvey, Variety, 11 Apr. 2026
The author, known for sinister tales like The Whistler and Sisters of the Lost Nation, has built a reputation for reinventing classic horror tropes by weaving in Native American folklore and stories passed down from his grandmother, an elder of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.

— Angelique Brenes, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026