ominous
threatening / menacing / foreboding
Adjective
comp: more ominoussup: most ominous
This term describes a heavy sense of foreboding, where a current sign or atmosphere serves as a warning of future disaster. It is almost exclusively negative, evoking a feeling of dread or apprehension rather than simple uncertainty. In usage, it often describes sensory experiences—such as a specific type of silence, a look in someone's eyes, or a change in weather—that trigger an instinctive fear of an impending threat.
Meanings
Adjective
Giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen.
"The dark clouds on the horizon looked ominous."
Adjective
Suggesting that a particular outcome is inevitable, typically a negative one.
"There was an ominous silence in the room before the announcement."