as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
the movie relies too much on sinister background music to create the suspense that the plot sorely lacks
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Recent Examples of sinister
While Naverrette flawlessly plays Nikki as being possessed by a sinister spirit who’s obsessed with Bear, her performance also includes tortured outbursts as the real Nikki sporadically breaks free from her subconscious to react in horror as her friend takes advantage of the situation.
—
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Anais has no idea that this institute in the desert is run by a secret cult – where healing is not the objective – but a gateway to something far more sinister.
—Roberto Prieto, Variety, 13 May 2026
On their first album under the moniker, the two noisemakers from Animal Collective delight in this combination, foregrounding campfire acoustics while sinister drones lurk around the corner.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
But even in her silence, Eileen did not feel a warning sense of suspicion, or recognize the sinister edge to this confrontation.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sinister
Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 May 2026
Anais has no idea that this institute in the desert is run by a secret cult – where healing is not the objective – but a gateway to something far more sinister.
—Roberto Prieto, Variety, 13 May 2026
On their first album under the moniker, the two noisemakers from Animal Collective delight in this combination, foregrounding campfire acoustics while sinister drones lurk around the corner.
—Ethan Beck, Pitchfork, 12 May 2026
But even in her silence, Eileen did not feel a warning sense of suspicion, or recognize the sinister edge to this confrontation.
—Literary Hub, 8 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sinister
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sinister
Adjective
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But recent days have seen the ominous appearance of public gun kiosks, where civilians are being offered basic lessons in using weapons – a sign of how the hardening Iranian authorities are readying people for further conflict.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
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The idea of a managerial change in October if Liverpool stick with Slot through the off-season feels ominous, because a couple of poor early results will bring back the negativity currently engulfing the club and his position will become untenable.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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The creative solution quickly went viral for its red LED eyes and menacing fangs—as well as its admittedly odd, furry pipe frame.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
14 May 2026
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This week’s rain can help crews tame a couple of wildfires that were menacing parts of South Miami-Dade and West Broward.—
Alexandra Phelps,
Miami Herald,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sinister.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinister. Accessed 24 May. 2026.
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