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 In testing, the ominous backbeat drove the track, while the screeching riffs and vocals stood against it. —

Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026 If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter. —

Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Mar. 2026 Seeing a skeletal creature materialize in the darkness is ominous; returning to the site to find that it’s disappeared is even worse. —

Alex Barasch, New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2026 The British government interpreted these trends as deeply ominous for its hold on the Chagos Archipelago. —

David Frum, The Atlantic, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ominous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous

Adjective

The murders themselves are obviously very sinister, but the circumstances surrounding them undermine the show’s drama and lean toward the absurd.

— Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 3 Mar. 2026
But the updraft that struck Flight SQ321 was of a more sinister sort.

— Burkhard Bilger, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026