as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
this many problems so early in the project is a most inauspicious sign
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Recent Examples of inauspicious
After this inauspicious beginning, Rajabi handed over the dossier.
—
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Sunday’s border battle at Wisconsin began in an inauspicious manner for the Minnesota women’s basketball team.
—Staff Report, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
Things got off to an inauspicious start when Air Force One was turned back by mechanical issues.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
This season had an inauspicious start, as the Bobcats lost their first two games.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inauspicious
Graeme Wood, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2026
Sunday’s border battle at Wisconsin began in an inauspicious manner for the Minnesota women’s basketball team.
—Staff Report, Twin Cities, 16 Feb. 2026
Things got off to an inauspicious start when Air Force One was turned back by mechanical issues.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2026
This season had an inauspicious start, as the Bobcats lost their first two games.
—Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 6 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for inauspicious
Recent Examples of Synonyms for inauspicious
Adjective
-
Those citing such ominous scenarios envisioned other possible dangers, including the debilitation of America’s security guarantees to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf oil exporters.—
Paul Blustein,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Certain signs, such as the recent decree by the municipal authorities of Damascus confining the sale of alcohol to Christian neighborhoods, are ominous.—
Alvaro Vargas Llosa,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The receptionist works behind a period cabinet converted into the sort of desk Philip Marlowe would happily put his feet on and Art Deco ornamentations abound, from the beautiful clocks, to the slightly sinister candlesticks.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
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The horror film stars Zazie Beetz as a housekeeper who works in a sinister high-rise apartment.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Many lizards are considered menacing because of their seemingly expressionless faces combined with their claws and teeth, whereas turtles are thought of as slow-moving, docile creatures.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Inauspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/inauspicious. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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