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.

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

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 could be an ominous sign for consumer spending, especially if gasoline remains above $4 a gallon through the summer, as futures prices suggest.

From Barron's • May 7, 2026

But what is most ominous is how little we know.

From MarketWatch • May 5, 2026

Neither member of the Adams team could ever comprehend this historical transition as anything other than an ominous symptom of moral degeneration.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis

Vocabulary lists containing ominous

100 Words Every Middle Schooler Should Know

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The Giver

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