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

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

If the US guidance was meant as an offer of information and advice to vessels and crew, that may be of little help given Iran's ominous threats to attack them.

From BBC • May 4, 2026

When Dryope, terrified at the ominous sight, tried to hurry away, her feet would not move; they seemed rooted in the ground.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

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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