Synonyms of oracular

oracular

adjective

as in sinister

Related Words

• sinister
• prophetic
• portentous
• apocalyptic
• menacing
• predictive
• baleful
• millenarian
• prophetical
• foreboding
• threatening
• apocalyptical
• dire
• revelatory
• telling
• inauspicious
• unpromising

Dissimilar Words

• promising
• rosy
• auspicious
• propitious

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective oracular contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of oracular are dictatorial, doctrinaire, dogmatic, and magisterial. While all these words mean "imposing one's will or opinions on others," oracular implies the manner of one who delivers opinions in cryptic phrases or with pompous dogmatism.

a designer who is the oracular voice of fashion

When could dictatorial be used to replace oracular?

The meanings of dictatorial and oracular largely overlap; however, dictatorial stresses autocratic, high-handed methods and a domineering manner.

exercised dictatorial control over the office

Where would doctrinaire be a reasonable alternative to oracular?

Although the words doctrinaire and oracular have much in common, doctrinaire implies a disposition to follow abstract theories in framing laws or policies affecting people.

a doctrinaire approach to improving the economy

When is dogmatic a more appropriate choice than oracular?

The words dogmatic and oracular can be used in similar contexts, but dogmatic implies being unduly and offensively positive in laying down principles and expressing opinions.

dogmatic about what is art and what is not

When would magisterial be a good substitute for oracular?

The synonyms magisterial and oracular are sometimes interchangeable, but magisterial stresses assumption or use of prerogatives appropriate to a magistrate or schoolmaster in forcing acceptance of one's opinions.

the magisterial tone of his pronouncements

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of oracular

Lynch plays Cole as a secular prophet, a grand and monumental presence dispensing wisdom and judgment with a self-deprecating yet oracular intensity. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025

With each passing year, Michaels has added to his list of oracular pronouncements. —Susan Morrison, The New Yorker, 13 Jan. 2025

Grade’s novels aren’t oracular, the way the section on postwar Vilna in his memoir was. —Judith Shulevitz, The Atlantic, 16 Mar. 2025

Lynch plays Cole as a secular prophet, a grand and monumental presence dispensing wisdom and judgment with a self-deprecating yet oracular intensity. —Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!