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

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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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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

As evening descends on Paris, there are ominous signs for what lies ahead tonight.

— Elina Baudier Kim, CNN Money, 17 Oct. 2026
Once storms roll through, things will change with temperatures falling for the afternoon, light rain and drizzle around, and cloudy ominous skies.

— Ron Smiley, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of ominous

Adjective

The pom-pom sandals at Givenchy were wonderful, fun, unexpected and exactly what fashion lovers are looking for from a spring runway show.

— Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Expect to see rare bottles pulled from the shelves and all manner of weird and wonderful concoctions offered up from the menu and from their encyclopedic knowledge of drinks.

— Condé Nast, cntraveler.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of wonderful

Adjective

At Garth Greenan, where more than forty of Drexler’s paintings and drawings from the sixties were on display, I was struck, once again, by the astonishing freshness and psychological bite of her work.

— Leslie Camhi, New Yorker, 16 Oct. 2026
Chelsea 2026-27 rank second on that list, trailing only Liverpool’s astonishing start to their title-winning 2019-20 campaign.

— Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026

Definition of astonishing

Adjective

But the revelation has also raised questions about what Leo knew and when, given his poignant prayers in late September at a French shrine where Catholics believe miraculous cures have occurred.

— Nicole Winfield, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2026
William Perkins, an influential proponent of witch fever in late sixteenth-century England, notes that any miraculous power a witch or her objects appears to have is merely borrowed from Satan.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of miraculous

Adjective

The claim that mitochondrial dysfunction is a factor in mental health disorders as well as physical ones is surprising to many people.

— Rowan Jacobsen, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026
Louis-Dreyfus works to make Polly relatable, a surprising choice for one of television’s most astringent comic presences.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of surprising

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“Portentous.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/portentous. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of portentous

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