Synonym Chooser

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 While O’Malley and Cleaver certainly fielded questions about Social Security – was something a scam, what’s Medicare’s role, how will artificial intelligence affect the program – several others struck a more ominous tone. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2025 Short-term panic is nearing historic levels, yet beneath the daily whipsawing headlines lies something more structural, and more ominous. Bob Haber, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025 The Lego booth featured a man wearing the ominous black mask and cloak of Darth Vader, made out of Legos. CBS News, 18 Apr. 2025 The fall in the dollar and rise in bond yields that went with it have been truly ominous. Robert Daugherty, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ominous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous
Adjective
  • Or, more likely, The Sentry is simply the benevolent mirror image of that shadowy, sinister entity that emerges after Bob Reynolds ingests a super serum.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 22 Apr. 2025
  • However, what was happening behind the scenes was more sinister than what the public thought.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 23 Apr. 2025
  • With its stout bastions and menacing defense towers, Kaunas Castle is the epitome of a medieval citadel.
    Joe Yogerst, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The observations from Drewry’s and Moody’s, as well as the scenario floated by McCown, follow a bleak outlook for the middle of May out of the biggest port in the U.S.
    Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 25 Apr. 2025
  • That followed a desperate period in which a bleak financial picture forced the resignation of CEO Anders Jensen.
    Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Ominous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ominous. Accessed 6 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on ominous

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