sinister

[ˈsɪn.ɪ.stər]

sinister Definition

• 1. giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen
• 2. threatening or portending evil, harm, or trouble; ominous

Using sinister: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "sinister" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The sky turned a sinister shade of gray before the storm hit.

• Example

  There was something sinister about the old abandoned house.

• Example

  He had a sinister look in his eyes that made me uneasy.

• Example

  The villain's sinister plan was finally revealed.

sinister Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for sinister

• ominous
• threatening
• foreboding
• menacing
• dark

Antonyms for sinister

• auspicious
• favorable
• benign

Idioms Using sinister

• the sinister hand

  an evil or malevolent influence

  Example

  Many people believe that the sinister hand of the government is behind the recent protests.

• a sinister reputation

  a reputation for being evil or dangerous

  Example

  The town had a sinister reputation due to the high crime rate.

• a sinister twist

  an unexpected and unpleasant turn of events

  Example

  The movie had a sinister twist at the end that left the audience shocked.

Phrases with sinister

• sinister smile

  a smile that looks evil or malicious

  Example

  He gave her a sinister smile and she knew something bad was about to happen.

• sinister laugh

  a laugh that sounds evil or malicious

  Example

  The villain let out a sinister laugh as he revealed his evil plan.

• sinister plot

  a secret plan to do something harmful or evil

  Example

  The detective uncovered the sinister plot to rob the bank.

Origins of sinister

from Latin 'sinister', meaning 'left, on the left side'

📌

Summary: sinister in Brief

The term 'sinister' [ˈsɪn.ɪ.stər] refers to something that gives the impression of being harmful or evil, often with a threatening or ominous quality. It can describe anything from a person's appearance to a situation or event, as in 'There was something sinister about the old abandoned house.' The phrase 'sinister hand' denotes an evil or malevolent influence, while 'a sinister reputation' refers to a place or person with a reputation for being dangerous or evil.