Ominous vs. Portent — What's the Difference?
Difference Between Ominous and Portent
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Compare with Definitions
Ominous
Menacing; threatening
Ominous black clouds.
Ominous rumblings of discontent.
Portent
A sign or warning that a momentous or calamitous event is likely to happen
Many birds are regarded as being portents of death
Ominous
Of or being an omen, especially an evil one.
Portent
An exceptional or wonderful person or thing
What portent can be greater than a pious notary?
Ominous
Of or pertaining to an omen or to omens; being or exhibiting an omen; significant.
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Portent
An indication of something important or calamitous about to occur; an omen.
Ominous
Specifically, giving indication of a coming ill; being an evil omen
Portent
Prophetic or threatening significance
Signs full of portent.
Ominous
Of or pertaining to an omen or to omens; being or exhibiting an omen; significant; portentous; - formerly used both in a favorable and unfavorable sense; now chiefly in the latter; foreboding or foreshowing evil; inauspicious; as, an ominous dread.
He had a good ominous name to have made a peace.
In the heathen worship of God, a sacrifice without a heart was accounted ominous.
Portent
(Archaic) Something amazing or marvelous; a prodigy.
Ominous
Threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments;
A baleful look
Forbidding thunderclouds
His tone became menacing
Ominous rumblings of discontent
Sinister storm clouds
A sinister smile
His threatening behavior
Ugly black clouds
The situation became ugly
Portent
Something that portends an event about to occur, especially an unfortunate or evil event; an omen.
It was a portent of things to come.
Ominous
Presaging ill-fortune;
Ill omens
Ill predictions
My words with inauspicious thunderings shook heaven
A dead and ominous silence prevailed
A by-election at a time highly unpropitious for the Government
Portent
A portending; significance
A howl of dire portent
Portent
Something regarded as portentous; a marvel; prodigy.
Portent
That which portends, or foretoken; esp., that which portends evil; a sign of coming calamity; an omen; a sign.
My loss by dire portents the god foretold.
Portent
A sign of something about to happen;
He looked for an omen before going into battle
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