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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

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 portentous 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 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 In the 1990s, public policy, now in the form of environmental policy, reemerged as the impetus for perhaps the most portentous chapter of lithium power. IEEE Spectrum, 11 Oct. 2019 See All Example Sentences for portentous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portentous
Adjective
  • Lately, some employees are noticing an ominous trend in their career trajectories.
    Sophie Caldwell, CNBC, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The Giants tanked immediately after acquiring a high-profile superstar with a nine-figure contract, which was inexplicable, unexpected and ominous.
    Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • Is their entire a life a facade for something more sinister?
    Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Drawn in by her fortune and allure, Calvin accepts an invitation aboard her superyacht Eternity, only to realize her glamorous world hides sinister secrets.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Skor bars are a nonnegotiable addition; the cookies have the perfect toffee-to-chocolate ratio and wonderful texture.
    The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Oct. 2025
  • Today’s tech news follows; have a wonderful weekend.
    Andrew Nusca, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Additional revelations hint of Kiri's evolving powers, the menacing Quaritch bonding with Varang to help defeat the Na'vi, a spectacular air/sea clash between the Ash People, the RDA, and the Na’vi, and Spider threatening to kill someone offscreen.
    Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Oct. 2025
  • Who’s messing with the lights and filling the air with menacing rumbles and zaps?
    Sara Holdren, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • For decades, scientists have wondered whether quantum mechanics plays a role in this astonishing efficiency.
    Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2025
  • New analysis highlighted the astonishing economic cost of AI data centers’ power demands.
    Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Inter reaching two Champions League finals in the past three seasons is nothing short of miraculous — particularly given the club got repossessed by the investment firm Oaktree just over a year ago.
    James Horncastle, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
  • In a miraculous turn of events, one of Whitefield’s closest friends and greatest promoters becomes none other than Benjamin Franklin.
    Anthony D'Alessandro, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • This has been my go-to spot for years, and the owners are amazing people.
    Carlos Rico, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Sep. 2025
  • That stuff is so random, and there’s so many amazing bands that no one ever listens to.
    Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2025
Adjective
  • His return is not all that surprising, even with the losing record.
    Katie Woo, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025
  • Israeli filmmaker Nadav Lapid’s latest tour de force is an absurdist, boldly surprising condemnation of his homeland.
    Christian Blauvelt, IndieWire, 30 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Portentous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portentous. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

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