Definitions

ominous

[om-uh-nuhs] / ˈɒm ə nəs /

ADJECTIVE

menacing, foreboding

Synonyms

STRONGEST

apocalyptic dangerous dark dire dismal gloomy grim haunting perilous portentous prophetic sinister threatening

WEAK

augural baleful baneful clouded direful doomed doomful fateful fearful forbidding hostile ill-boding ill-fated impending inauspicious inhospitable lowering malefic malificent malign minatory precursive premonitory presaging prescient suggestive unfriendly unlucky unpromising unpropitious

Antonyms

STRONGEST

bright cheerful encouraging good happy hopeful joyful light nice pleasant safe secure sunny

WEAK

auspicious lucky promising propitious

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Certainly not the one you have in mind: bandaged dead guy, ominous hieroglyphics, maybe Brendan Fraser.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026

The proposed spending, driven in part by the need to accommodate data centers’ power demands, could be ominous news for consumers’ bills.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

While Arsenal are faltering, City are growing in strength and, after moving within six points of the leaders with a game in hand, the signs are looking ominous for the red side of north London.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

Meanwhile Vance, visiting Hungary, delivered an ominous warning to Iran.

From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026

He didn’t seem to notice their ominous surroundings, or if he did, he hid it far better.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas

Vocabulary lists containing ominous

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

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The Vocabulary.com Top 1000

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The Giver

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