inauspicious
/,inɔ:s'piʃəs/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not conducive to success; suggesting that bad luck or an unfavorable outcome is likely. This is the core meaning, indicating something that seems to portend failure or misfortune.
- Having unfavorable prospects; marked by signs of future trouble. It describes conditions, beginnings, or signs that are unfavorable and seem to predict negative results.
Examples of Usage
- Adjective:
- The dark clouds and sudden wind made for an inauspicious start to their outdoor wedding.
- The project launched on an inauspicious note when the lead developer resigned on the first day.
- Many cultures consider an owl's call during the day to be an inauspicious omen.
Advanced Usage
- "Inauspicious beginning/start": A very common collocation describing an unfavorable commencement that suggests future problems.
- Despite the inauspicious beginning, the company eventually found great success.
- "Inauspicious circumstances/conditions": Used to describe an unfavorable environment or situation.
- The peace talks were held under inauspicious circumstances, with violence flaring nearby.
Variants and Related Words
- Inauspiciously (adverb): In a manner that suggests bad luck or an unfavorable outcome.
- The day began inauspiciously with a flat tire.
- Inauspiciousness (noun): The quality or state of being inauspicious.
- The inauspiciousness of the event was felt by everyone present.
Synonyms
- Ominous: Specifically suggests a threatening quality of foreboding.
- Unpropitious: Very close in meaning, often interchangeable; unfavorable for a specific purpose.
- Unfavorable: More general; not advantageous.
- Ill-omened: Marked by or as if by an evil omen.
- Portentous: Of momentous or ominous significance.
Antonyms
- Auspicious: Favorable; conducive to success.
- Propitious: Presenting favorable circumstances.
- Favorable: Advantageous.
- Promising: Showing signs of future success.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To get off to an inauspicious start: To begin something in a way that suggests it will not be successful.
- The new manager got off to an inauspicious start by forgetting the names of his team.
- Under an inauspicious star: A literary phrase meaning born or begun under bad luck or unfavorable astrological signs.
- The venture seemed to have been launched under an inauspicious star.
Adjective
- presaging ill fortune
- ill omens
- ill predictions
- my words with inauspicious thunderings shook heaven- P.B.Shelley
- a dead and ominous silence prevailed
- a by-election at a time highly unpropitious for the Government
- contrary to your interests or welfare
- adverse circumstances
- made a place for themselves under the most untoward conditions
- not auspicious; boding ill