Meaning & use
ominous
Suggesting that something bad or threatening is likely to happen soon.
See it in a sentence
Dark, ominous clouds gathered on the horizon just before the storm hit the coast.
An ominous silence fell over the classroom when the principal walked in unannounced.
A note on using this word
Ominous describes a warning sign of coming trouble, distinct from menacing, which usually describes an active threat itself.
Words with a similar meaning
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
reassuringauspicious
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “ominous”, then compare your use with the examples above.
Your draft stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.