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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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
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If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
-
Punched in the face That could explain the chain saw-wielding, the jumping up and down onstage, the manic baby-making and crusading for more spreading of sperm by smart people and the ominous Nazi-style salutes.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Adjective
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By the end of the season, President George W. Bush arrives at the family’s doorstep, masquerading as Rumi’s friend while barely concealing his sinister intentions.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
2 June 2025
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Idyllic getaways unravel into haunting mysteries, exposing the sinister secrets lurking beneath sunlit shores, mountain retreats and bustling boardwalks; Jessica Biel narrates.—
Ryan Schwartz,
TVLine,
31 May 2025
Adjective
-
My daughter came to live with us for nine wonderful years.—
Jack Lang,
New York Times,
27 May 2025
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Your wonderful dog may or may not hanker to break routine and go on holiday.—
John Oseid,
Forbes.com,
27 May 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2025
-
The man was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault strangulation, second-degree kidnapping, false imprisonment, menacing and prohibited use of weapons, deputies said.—
Sara Schilling,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Adjective
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There isn’t a huge amount of that, but the fact that the robots are fighting at all is astonishing.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
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Regardless of his personal situation, what Enrique has done to this PSG side has been nothing short of astonishing.—
Ben Church,
CNN Money,
1 June 2025
Adjective
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There’s conflict in everything, in the clashing of worlds and the fight for a world that makes sense to believe in, yet miraculous poetry and optimism somehow, too.—
Ella Kemp,
IndieWire,
23 May 2025
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Their survival, staff say, is nothing short of miraculous.—
Alice Gibbs,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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Comments Chloe Fineman has explained how that amazing triple Jennifer Coolidge impression — Fineman, Dana Carvey, and host Ariana Grande — landed on Saturday Night Live.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
28 May 2025
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There’s still men — there’s Benson, who’s doing amazing.—
Mikael Wood,
Los Angeles Times,
28 May 2025
Adjective
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The Cardinals certainly hope that’s the case, as their rotation has been a surprising strength.—
Katie Woo,
New York Times,
26 May 2025
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Since then, podcasts have gone mainstream, and are as ubiquitous as cell phones – not surprising considering 70% of listeners use their mobile phones to tune in.—
Anjali Chaudhry,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Portentous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portentous. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
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