Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective ominous differ from other similar words?

The words fateful and portentous are common synonyms of ominous. While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

Where would fateful be a reasonable alternative to ominous?

The words fateful and ominous can be used in similar contexts, but fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

When can portentous be used instead of ominous?

Although the words portentous and ominous have much in common, portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

Examples 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 But Mullin dismissed the notion the cancelation is an ominous sign for his confirmation odds. Juliegrace Brufke, Axios, 4 Dec. 2024 That could be an ominous sign for the market, and for the funds themselves as glitches emerge. Jesse Pound, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2024 Lefty Gunplay’s ominous chorus has also been going viral. Angel Diaz, Billboard, 4 Dec. 2024 Here, the vampire has been defanged, relying instead on long claws that cast ominous shadows over the land. Peter Debruge, Variety, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for ominous 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for ominous
Adjective
  • The film reveals how a young Putin gains control of the various Russian bureaucracies through sinister manipulation, cutting off the internet and other media when necessary.
    Peter Bart, Deadline, 1 Dec. 2024
  • The Fungus Seduces Male Flies To Spread Faster Beyond its ability to manipulate living flies, E. muscae wields another sinister tool in its arsenal: turning the corpses of its victims into irresistible traps for healthy male flies.
    Scott Travers, Forbes, 24 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • Egerton and Bateman are both fantastic in this, and who knew Michael Bluth could be this level of menacing?
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2024
  • In the memo obtained by WIRED, DHS displays less confidence in its ability to detect menacing drones.
    Dell Cameron, WIRED, 17 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • Their story could have been told myriad ways and, if the current TV market had anything to say about it: the best way to tell any true crime is to be as bleak, haunting and gory as possible.
    Ed Herro, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Dec. 2024
  • In recent years, people have taken to social media arguing that, while the film might be visually appealing, its underlying message is bleak.
    John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Dec. 2024

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Thesaurus Entries Near ominous

Cite this Entry

“Ominous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ominous. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on ominous

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