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

Could this be another portentous sign? — Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026

Another is about death itself and the portentous ride to the other side. — Sezin Devi Keohler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026

Some of the big portentous moments are underscored with heavy soundtrack music composed by Billy Bivona. — Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2026

Yet signs of a portentous ideological shift started to appear almost a quarter century ago, after 9/11. — Jason Blakely, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025

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