Synonym Chooser

How is the word sinister different from other adjectives like it?

The words baleful and malign are common synonyms of sinister. While all three words mean "seriously threatening evil or disaster," sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer.

a sinister aura haunts the place

When is it sensible to use baleful instead of sinister?

The synonyms baleful and sinister are sometimes interchangeable, but baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly.

exerting a corrupt and baleful influence

When would malign be a good substitute for sinister?

The words malign and sinister are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful.

the malign effects of racism

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 sinister 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 Beams from their headlamps skitter over the land, glazing everything in sinister reds and oranges. Dan Piepenbring, Harpers Magazine, 18 June 2025 Mitchell returned to the family’s Salt Lake City home months later with sinister intentions. Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 8 June 2025 Picking from hundreds of hours of original, low-budget TV ads, Glassman tells the sinister tale of two restaurants battling it out in the town of Westridge County. Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 5 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for sinister
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinister
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
  • If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.
    NC Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 1 July 2025
  • The real version of Dave is equal parts pitiful and menacing, seductive and unable to fully pass himself as a normal person.
    Alison Herman, Variety, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Sinister.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinister. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on sinister

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