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.

After a long decline spanning decades, the share of teens working summer jobs is expected to hit a record low this year — a disturbing trend that can have ominous repercussions for their future earnings.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 8, 2026

Prosecutors said one of the phones had a 15-minute timer ready to start, while another displayed an ominous message from an unknown number — “we will be awaiting your call.”

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

It all sounds ominous, but this is still a far cry from the furious exchanges that characterised the first five-and-a-half weeks of this conflict.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

If you read about the economic fallout from the Iran war, you’ll encounter an ominous phrase: demand destruction.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

It seems an ominous stretch, and I’m already tired from all my senseless hopping around.

From "The Running Dream" by Wendelin Van Draanen

Vocabulary lists containing ominous

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

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The Giver

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