as in sinister
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
that comment about downsizing from the company president sounded ominous
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 ominous
Dystopian fiction is far from the easiest subgenre to escape into, considering the inherent darkness and ominous warnings of what our future could become.
—
Robert English, EW.com, 30 July 2025
In Together, Alison Brie plays a teacher named Millie who moves out of New York with her would-be-musician partner, Tim (Dave Franco), only for ominous things to start unfolding in the countryside where the two of them hope to start the next stage of their lives.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 July 2025
Despite the ominous report, the Patriots have received a major update on the All-Pro corner.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
People in this state search for a story that explains why everything suddenly feels uncanny and ominous.
—Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
Robert English, EW.com, 30 July 2025
In Together, Alison Brie plays a teacher named Millie who moves out of New York with her would-be-musician partner, Tim (Dave Franco), only for ominous things to start unfolding in the countryside where the two of them hope to start the next stage of their lives.
—Alison Willmore, Vulture, 30 July 2025
Despite the ominous report, the Patriots have received a major update on the All-Pro corner.
—James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 July 2025
People in this state search for a story that explains why everything suddenly feels uncanny and ominous.
—Rachel Aviv, New Yorker, 21 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for ominous
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous
Adjective
-
He’s replaced talk of sinister tech monopolies with embracing Big American Tech, largely refashioned as Big American AI.—
Ben Smith,
semafor.com,
28 July 2025
-
Initially, it was suspected that Brewster had been hit by a car, but X-rays revealed a far more sinister truth: Brewster had been shot, leaving him with a severely fractured front leg.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
27 July 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
28 July 2025
-
Petsch visited the annual celebration of all things fan culture to promote the The Strangers: Chapter 2, which picks up where Chapter 1 left off — with Petsch's Maya seemingly saved from the titular Strangers' demented attack, but with the menacing Scarecrow still hunting her down.—
Ryan Coleman Updated,
EW.com,
25 July 2025
Adjective
-
Many people were concerned about their financial situation, as the overall economic outlook was bleak.—
Rocky Sharma,
Forbes.com,
31 July 2025
-
Morale among agency staff is bleak, according to one CDC official who spoke on the condition that they not be named for fear of reprisals.—
Brenda Goodman,
CNN Money,
31 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Ominous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ominous. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share