inauspicious

adjective

in·​aus·​pi·​cious ˌi-ˌnȯ-ˈspi-shəs How to pronounce inauspicious (audio)
: not auspicious
an inauspicious start
inauspiciously adverb
inauspiciousness noun

Examples of inauspicious in a Sentence

Despite its inauspicious beginnings, the company eventually became very profitable. this many problems so early in the project is a most inauspicious sign
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Widely hailed as a model by European politicians pushing a tougher line on migration, the project has endured an inauspicious launch. Nick Squires, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Oct. 2024 The ongoing violence in Sinaloa has created an inauspicious start to the beginning of President Claudia Sheinbaum’s term in office. Nathaniel Parish Flannery, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 But Carter's exit from the White House after what many critics decried as a largely ineffectual single term marked the beginning of what became the most consequential post-presidency in U.S. history – made even more remarkable by its inauspicious start. Mark Updegrove, ABC News, 1 Oct. 2024 Smith was born between Christmas and New Year in 1934, in the inauspicious town of Ilford, Essex, where her father worked in a laboratory and her mother, who was of Scots origin, worked as a secretary. Rebecca Mead, The New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for inauspicious 

Word History

First Known Use

1592, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of inauspicious was in 1592

Dictionary Entries Near inauspicious

Cite this Entry

“Inauspicious.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inauspicious. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

inauspicious

adjective
in·​aus·​pi·​cious ˌin-ȯ-ˈspish-əs How to pronounce inauspicious (audio)
: not auspicious : not looking good for future success
inauspiciously adverb
inauspiciousness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on inauspicious

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!