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
But because the discrimination is targeting Jewish students and Israel, there is a sinister tolerance and acceptance of this behavior.
—
Ron Morganstern, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2025
Meanwhile, the Yiddishe mama had made a comeback, in a sinister new form.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Following the murder of a Department of Homeland Security officer, LAPD detective Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles) finds himself on a secret task force where a more sinister plot gets uncovered.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for sinister
Ron Morganstern, Sun Sentinel, 11 June 2025
Meanwhile, the Yiddishe mama had made a comeback, in a sinister new form.
—Emily Nussbaum, New Yorker, 9 June 2025
Following the murder of a Department of Homeland Security officer, LAPD detective Mark Meachum (Jensen Ackles) finds himself on a secret task force where a more sinister plot gets uncovered.
—Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 June 2025
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
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.—
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
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2025
-
Make that the second scariest, as Claire’s antics bring another menacing character into their lives, when her dealer, Jackie (Domhnall Gleeson), shows up at Echo Valley looking for 10 grand in heroin.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Sinister.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sinister. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.
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