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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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for portentous
Adjective
  • If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 29 June 2025
  • By contrast, Kosinski’s follow-up plays out against eternal night, with dark mountains looming against deep-black skies with ominous gray clouds.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
Adjective
  • The Academy Award winner looks sinister and well-suited as a leader in some kind of underground workspace (one that resembles a NASA control room and the like).
    Matt Donnelly, Variety, 27 June 2025
  • But those few seconds don’t erase all the fleeting, sinister impressions that came before — and that turn out not to have been fleeting, after all.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 21 June 2025
Adjective
  • Steve was a wonderful antidote to Miranda, and Joy is a wonderful antidote in a very different way.
    Daniel D'Addario, Variety, 20 June 2025
  • It is filled with many wonderful surprises discoverable to the 200,000-plus visitors who come during the busiest time (November to July) and escapade around its hilly terrain in the signature island vehicle, the mini Moke.
    Melinda Sheckells, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 21 June 2025
  • Feras Hamdan, 36, of Westlake, Ohio, is awaiting a court appearance on an aggravated menacing charge after voluntarily surrendering with an attorney present, according to a news release from police in Rocky River, a Cleveland suburb.
    Elizabeth Crisp, The Hill, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • Furthermore, the fact the band hasn’t down-tuned or adjusted any of their songs for vocalist Bruce Dickinson, who still effortlessly sings each and every one of Iron Maiden’s songs is absolutely astonishing.
    Quentin Thane Singer, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025
  • But an investigation resulted in an astonishing call from the other side of the world, which revealed that ‘The GPO Girl’ was, in fact, a 25-year-old Australian, who has created more than 100 false identities.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 June 2025
Adjective
  • There's also a nod to the narrator's wife making an unexpected comeback late on, though Robbie's miraculous/implausible (delete as appropriate) return from the dead stretches credibility way past breaking point.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 29 June 2025
  • Considering her herculean effort and miraculous success, the speediness of her undoing is stunning.
    Literary Hub June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
Adjective
  • Reed runs the floor, zips around as a screener and is disruptive on defense (4.3 steals per 100 from a center is amazing).
    John Hollinger, New York Times, 21 June 2025
  • And one last thing, there are amazing men who helped me become less machista.
    Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 20 June 2025
Adjective
  • If living near a golf course seems scenic and relaxing, it may also be linked to a higher risk of Parkinson’s disease, according to a surprising new study that comes with some limitations.
    Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
  • The Column Dresses Sleek, minimalist, and effortlessly elegant, a column wedding dress works for a surprising array of dress codes.
    Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 30 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Portentous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portentous. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

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