ominous
25 synonyms and 3 antonyms for ominous, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Suggesting that something bad is about to happen; threatening or foreboding.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
augurous
baleful
bodeful
boding
foreboding
ill-fated
ill-boding
ill-omened
ill-starred
inauspicate
inauspicious
nefastous
brooding
omenic
portentous
presageful
presagious
prodigious
star-crossed
sullen
Antonyms
How to use ominous
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
ominous silence
ominous sign
ominous clouds
Etymology
From Latin ominosus, "full of foreboding," from omen.
Full origin of ominous →Frequently asked questions
What does “ominous” mean?
The word “ominous” means suggesting that something bad is about to happen; threatening or foreboding. In plain terms, giving a sense that something bad is coming.
How do you pronounce “ominous”?
“Ominous” is pronounced O-mih-nuhs (/ˈɑmɪnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “ominous” in a sentence?
Here is “ominous” used in a sentence: “Dark clouds gathered in an ominous sky before the storm.”
What is another word for “ominous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “ominous” include augurous, baleful, bodeful, boding, dire and disastrous.
What is the opposite of “ominous”?
The opposite of “ominous” — its antonyms — are auspicious, omenless and unomened.
What part of speech is “ominous”?
“Ominous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ominous” come from?
The word “ominous” comes from Latin. From Latin ominosus, "full of foreboding," from omen.
Is “ominous” a common word?
“Ominous” is an uncommon word in modern English.
