PORTENTOUS Synonyms: 181 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'portentous' differ from other similar words?

The words fateful and ominous are common synonyms of portentous . While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity. // an eerie and portentous stillness

Q: When is it sensible to use 'fateful' instead of 'portentous'?

In some situations, the words fateful and portentous are roughly equivalent. However, fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance. // the fateful conference that led to war

Q: When can 'ominous' be used instead of 'portentous'?

The words ominous and portentous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster. // ominous rumblings from the volcano

portentous

adjective

pȯr-ˈten-təs

Definition of portentous

as in ominous

being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come an eerie and portentous stillness hung over the camp the night before the battle

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in wonderful

causing wonder or astonishment in 1969 people regarded the first landing on the moon as a truly portentous event

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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How does the adjective portentous differ from other similar words?

The words fateful and ominous are common synonyms of portentous. While all three words mean "having a menacing or threatening aspect," portentous suggests being frighteningly big or impressive but now seldom definitely connotes forewarning of calamity.

an eerie and portentous stillness

When is it sensible to use fateful instead of portentous?

In some situations, the words fateful and portentous are roughly equivalent. However, fateful suggests being of momentous or decisive importance.

the fateful conference that led to war

When can ominous be used instead of portentous?

The words ominous and portentous are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, ominous implies having a menacing, alarming character foreshadowing evil or disaster.

ominous rumblings from the volcano

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of portentous To the anxiety disorders of their children, which have the portentous mystery of an oracle’s riddle. — Nicholas Dames, The Atlantic, 7 Apr. 2026 Here, too, what was once pioneering and portentous already looks quaint. — Justin Davidson, Curbed, 19 Mar. 2026 Could this be another portentous sign? — Caleb Harris, Austin American Statesman, 19 Mar. 2026 Another is about death itself and the portentous ride to the other side. — Sezin Devi Keohler, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for portentous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portentous

Adjective

The film fairly vibrates with ominous tension even in scenes in which seemingly nothing happens.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026
The horror movie takes place in Vision’s mind-mansion, which Butcherbird has filled with red light, dark shadows, and ominous imagery.

— Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of ominous

Adjective

An itinerary of hikes, wine tastings, and a sunset cruise offering incredible views of the Santa Barbara coastline is a wonderful way to end the day, while a cozy house with a garden will add to everyone’s enjoyment.

— Vogue, Vogue, 27 Oct. 2026
The improbable evening turned into a moving tribute to both Capra himself and his tale of the suicidal banker George Bailey, who comes to realize that his life has indeed been wonderful.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

Feathers McGraw, the sinister penguin villain from the Wallace & Gromit films, also makes a Hitchcockian cameo.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 22 Oct. 2026
Other examples are more sinister—for instance, the far-right takeover of Croatian Wikipedia, or efforts by corporations to launder their images.

— Julian Lucas, New Yorker, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of sinister

Adjective

In August, Lachlan Murdoch revealed that Fox News Media had added more than 400 new advertisers in its last fiscal year, an astonishing number of brands that were new to its news platforms.

— Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2026
The fact that there is someone out there who could actually get all the real unsuspecting morons who participated in this movie to sign off on it afterwards is simply astonishing considering what they are asked to do in it.

— Pete Hammond, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of astonishing

Adjective

The police spokesperson said Perez was taken into custody without incident and charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon.

— Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 27 Oct. 2026
The Melbourne duo taps into trip-hop’s essential strangeness on its latest album, trading the genre’s boilerplate languor for dejected moods, menacing auras, and slippery, all-consuming bass.

— Sam Goldner, Pitchfork, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of menacing

Adjective

This entry is almost too broad, but no trip to Jackson is complete without a trip through this miraculous wonder—whether on foot, wheels, or water.

— Lindsay Cohn, Vogue, 23 Oct. 2026
Many participate in the miraculous art of flying and maintaining enormous airplanes, or picking up cargo to take across our greater multi-county region of millions.

— Daniel Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of miraculous

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“Portentous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portentous. Accessed 29 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of portentous

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