ominous

What does “ominous” mean?

adjective.giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious.

SAT Usage

this term is often used in contexts involving foreshadowing, such as in literature or descriptions of settings that evoke a sense of dread. It emphasizes a foreboding atmosphere or a sense of impending danger, distinguishing itself from similar words like "unsettling," which may not carry the same weight of imminent threat.

Common Confusions

Ominous implies a strong sense of impending danger or threat, while unsettling usually suggests a feeling of discomfort or unease without necessarily implying imminent harm.

Example Sentences

• Dark clouds gathered in an ominous sky above the valley.

• An ominous silence fell over the room.