Synonyms of portentous

portentous

adjective

pȯr-ˈten-təs 

1

as in ominous

being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come

an eerie and portentous stillness hung over the camp the night before the battle

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ominous
• sinister
• menacing
• bleak
• threatening
• somber
• direful
• dark
• foreboding
• minatory
• murky
• inauspicious
• dire
• darkening
• baleful
• lonely
• unfortunate
• depressive
• desolate
• depressing
• black
• ill
• doomy
• gray
• ill-boding
• morbid
• lugubrious
• unfavorable
• dim
• elegiac
• gloomy
• cold
• sepulchral
• morose
• saturnine
• cheerless
• lonesome
• funereal
• sullen
• dismal
• unpropitious
• dreary
• glum
• discouraging
• unpromising
• disconsolate
• troubled
• drear
• forlorn
• comfortless
• cloudy
• disheartening
• chill
• hopeless
• miserable
• malignant
• tenebrous
• evil
• plutonian
• godforsaken
• wretched
• dreich
• unlucky
• malign
• Cimmerian
• sunless
• ill-starred
• tenebrific
• ill-fated
• star-crossed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• favorable
• promising
• benign
• bright
• golden
• auspicious
• prosperous
• hopeful
• unthreatening
• encouraging
• propitious
• heartening

2

as in wonderful

causing wonder or astonishment

in 1969 people regarded the first landing on the moon as a truly portentous event

Synonyms & Similar Words

• wonderful
• astonishing
• miraculous
• amazing
• surprising
• sublime
• marvelous
• incredible
• stunning
• staggering
• extraordinary
• stupendous
• impressive
• wondrous
• awesome
• remarkable
• prodigious
• spectacular
• astounding
• awful
• fabulous
• unusual
• interesting
• incomprehensible
• fascinating
• inconceivable
• exciting
• unbelievable
• unimaginable
• uncommon
• unique
• eye-opening
• unthinkable
• striking
• outstanding
• rare
• conspicuous
• noticeable
• unwonted
• enchanting
• charming
• notable
• attractive
• phenomenal
• sensational
• singular
• alluring
• attracting
• enlightening
• entertaining
• beguiling
• enthralling
• mind-blowing
• bewitching
• mind-boggling
• mind-bending
• enlivening
• invigorating
• smashing
• galvanizing
• energizing
• stimulating
• captivating
• animating

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• unremarkable
• tedious
• unimpressive
• monotonous
• dull
• uninteresting
• boring
• usual
• wearisome
• ordinary
• uninspiring
• typical
• customary
• common
• weary
• normal
• mundane
• wearying
• tiring
• uninspired
• unexceptional
• fatiguing
• draining
• exhausting
• debilitating
• discouraging
• jading
• dispiriting
• enervating
• wearing
• disheartening
• demoralizing
• enfeebling

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective portentous differ from other similar words?

The words fateful and ominous are common synonyms of portentous. While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

When is it sensible to use fateful instead of portentous?

In some situations, the words fateful and portentous are roughly equivalent. However, fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

When can ominous be used instead of portentous?

The words ominous and portentous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of portentous

The imposing gothic details of Victor’s castle-laboratory—a portentous warrior-angel statue that comes to life, a screaming Medusa rondel carved in stone—vibrate with gloomy baroque majesty. —Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 30 Aug. 2025

Call it cinema’s most portentous let. —Joe Reid, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025

Another is about death itself and the portentous ride to the other side. —Sezin Devi Keohler, EW.com, 29 Mar. 2025

Other portentous allegories ensue. —Namwali Serpell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2025

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!