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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in marvellous
causing wonder or astonishment
in 1969 people regarded the first landing on the moon as a truly portentous event
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of portentous
This game would have been twice as portentous if Davis had been healthy, but the 10-time All-Star who teamed up with James to lead the Lakers to the 2020 championship is out at least two more weeks with a groin injury sustained in his Mavs debut.
—
Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
After the game, Dončić warmly greeted his former teammates but also took a few portentous looks at the Mavericks bench during the night.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
With its whisper-thin characters, vague narrative, and acres of portentous poetry about sound, Rabbit Trap feels somehow both underwritten and overwritten.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Starting with his film-school projects in the early 1970s, David Cronenberg hit the ground running with projects that tucked sharp social critiques into ominously portentous narratives.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for portentous
Greg Beacham, Chicago Tribune, 26 Feb. 2025
After the game, Dončić warmly greeted his former teammates but also took a few portentous looks at the Mavericks bench during the night.
—Ross Rosenfeld, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025
With its whisper-thin characters, vague narrative, and acres of portentous poetry about sound, Rabbit Trap feels somehow both underwritten and overwritten.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 25 Jan. 2025
Advertisement Starting with his film-school projects in the early 1970s, David Cronenberg hit the ground running with projects that tucked sharp social critiques into ominously portentous narratives.
—Marc Weingarten, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for portentous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portentous
Adjective
-
People in this state search for a story that explains why everything suddenly feels uncanny and ominous.—
Rachel Aviv,
New Yorker,
21 July 2025
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Some commentators labeled his speech unduly bellicose; others applauded his courage to define ominous realities.—
Robert Schmuhl,
Chicago Tribune,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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Across the 14-track LP, the producer fuses club beats, acidic bars, and Middle Eastern percussion into a slightly sinister shade of electronica.—
Madison Bloom,
Pitchfork,
18 July 2025
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Lex outmaneuvers the titular hero for most of Superman, turning the public against him by uncovering the entirety of the sinister message from his Kryptonian parents and orchestrating a political conflict for personal gain.—
Jack Smart,
People.com,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
26 July 2025
-
Brad Schmitt Hey there, new neighbors, and welcome back to our intro to Nashville and all the wonderful things the city has to offer you.—
Brad Schmitt,
The Tennessean,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
14 July 2025
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That decision ultimately cost him the match, and when the bout was over, Orton’s menacing stare at Rhodes not-so-subtly hinted at a potential heel turn.—
Blake Oestriecher,
Forbes.com,
13 July 2025
Adjective
-
Her astonishing haul has left some speculating that Ocasio-Cortez may be eyeing higher office, whether a seat in the Senate or a White House run in 2028.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
19 July 2025
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Millennial spending rose 10%, while Gen Z cardholders grew their spend at a somewhat astonishing 40% (albeit from a smaller base).—
Lily Mae Lazarus,
Fortune,
18 July 2025
Adjective
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Osbourne’s public rebirth with The Osbournes—the MTV reality series that ran from 2002 to 2005—transmuted his erratic nature and past struggles into a miraculous joke.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
23 July 2025
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The original statue in Manila was brought to the Philippines in 1606 and faithful around the world have attributed miraculous healing properties to the statue.—
Emilie Takahashi,
Oc Register,
22 July 2025
Adjective
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But to say Destiny’s Child gave me the green light is amazing.—
Kyle Denis,
Billboard,
14 July 2025
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The shoes have amazing cushioning that provides serious support, which was ideal for long walks in Athens.—
Alexis Benveniste,
Travel + Leisure,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Focus on the surprising insight or counterintuitive result that makes people stop and think.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
24 July 2025
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Chris Paul is all smiles while surprising The Tonight Show audience with his Good Eat'n snacks, as Jimmy Fallon presents him with a new Clippers jersey.—
Alexandra Schonfeld,
People.com,
24 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portentous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portentous. Accessed 31 Jul. 2025.
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