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 next

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 marvellous

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

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Recent Examples of portentous After reams of the post-liberals’ portentous obscurities, Lefebvre’s cutting clarity comes as a relief. —

Becca Rothfeld, Washington Post, 3 July 2024 The first is to speak in the hushed, portentous tones that have signified Serious Blockbusters for decades. —

Nate Jones, Vulture, 1 Mar. 2024 This portentous graveyard of classicizing form is in part a dark joke at the artist’s expense. —

Nancy Princenthal, New York Times, 16 May 2024 GiveWell’s Karnofsky moved to an EA philanthropy that gives out hundreds of millions of dollars a year and staffed up institutes with portentous names like Global Priorities and The Future of Humanity. —

Leif Wenar, WIRED, 27 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for portentous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portentous

Adjective

There’s the ominous sense that the monkeys lurking around the resort might just be the same ones wielding swords in the frescoes.

— Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 16 Feb. 2025
Those recall notices referred to a permanent solution without specifying what that might be—something that could be read as ominous or hopeful.

— Eric Bangeman, Ars Technica, 14 Feb. 2025