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

Synonym Chooser

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

Examples 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 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 The city is littered with Confederate statues—soldiers, portentous obelisks. —

Doreen St. Félix, The New Yorker, 25 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for portentous

Recent Examples of Synonyms for portentous

Adjective

Something ominous, if not entirely novel, is taking shape in Washington.

— David Remnick, The New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2025
Facebook’s recent announcement to stop fact-checking posts is an ominous signal.

— Rhea Wessel, Forbes, 12 Jan. 2025