Synonyms of sinister

sinister

adjective

ˈsi-nə-stər 

as in ominous

being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come

the movie relies too much on sinister background music to create the suspense that the plot sorely lacks

Synonyms & Similar Words

• ominous
• menacing
• threatening
• bleak
• dark
• foreboding
• somber
• murky
• portentous
• lonely
• darkening
• baleful
• minatory
• dire
• black
• unfortunate
• inauspicious
• direful
• grey
• desolate
• depressing
• depressive
• ill
• gray
• doomy
• ill-boding
• morbid
• sombre
• cold
• unfavorable
• dim
• morose
• lugubrious
• gloomy
• saturnine
• sullen
• sepulchral
• lonesome
• cheerless
• elegiac
• funereal
• discouraging
• troubled
• dismal
• evil
• dreary
• disconsolate
• glum
• forlorn
• malignant
• unpropitious
• chill
• hopeless
• cloudy
• drear
• disheartening
• unpromising
• miserable
• malign
• comfortless
• elegiacal
• plutonian
• tenebrous
• godforsaken
• wretched
• unlucky
• dreich
• Cimmerian
• sunless
• tenebrific
• ill-fated
• ill-starred
• star-crossed

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• favorable
• benign
• bright
• promising
• golden
• hopeful
• encouraging
• unthreatening
• prosperous
• auspicious
• propitious
• heartening

Synonym Chooser

How is the word sinister different from other adjectives like it?

The words baleful and malign are common synonyms of sinister. While all three words mean "seriously threatening evil or disaster," sinister suggests a general or vague feeling of fear or apprehension on the part of the observer.

a sinister aura haunts the place

When is it sensible to use baleful instead of sinister?

The synonyms baleful and sinister are sometimes interchangeable, but baleful imputes perniciousness or destructiveness to something whether working openly or covertly.

exerting a corrupt and baleful influence

When would malign be a good substitute for sinister?

The words malign and sinister are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, malign applies to what is inherently evil or harmful.

the malign effects of racism

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of sinister

The banal village tunes that Mahler altered into sinister mock vulgarities—did these not recall the raffish klezmer bands, the wandering musicians who played at shtetl weddings? —David Denby, The Atlantic, 1 Apr. 2025

But what should be a joyous time of their lives becomes sinister when Sarah starts seeing a malevolent spirit, she is convinced is trying to take her baby. —Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 25 Mar. 2025

After receiving a diagnosis of both ADHD and autism as an adult, Grimes has come to view the widespread pop psychology shared across social media as increasingly sinister. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 24 Mar. 2025

The three-minute video, complete with action movie shots and sinister music, is terrifying. —Josh Meyer, USA TODAY, 22 Mar. 2025

Phrases Containing sinister

• bar sinister