sinister
/'sinistə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Evil or threatening: Having an appearance or quality that suggests something harmful, evil, or dangerous is happening or will happen.
- Ominous: Giving the impression that something bad or evil is present or is about to happen.
- Dishonorable or wicked: Stemming from or characterized by evil or malevolent intent.
Usage
The word "sinister" is used to describe people, things, or situations that seem evil, threatening, or foreboding. It often implies a hidden or underlying malevolence.
Examples
- Adjective:
- The old house had a sinister appearance, with its broken windows and overgrown garden.
- He gave a sinister laugh that sent a chill down her spine.
- There was a sinister motive behind his seemingly kind offer.
Advanced Usage
- "Sinister" in heraldry: In historical contexts, specifically in heraldry, "sinister" can refer to the left-hand side (from the perspective of the bearer of a shield). This usage is now rare and specialized.
- The coat of arms featured a lion on the sinister side.
Variants and Related Words
- Sinisterly (adverb): In a sinister manner.
- He smiled sinisterly.
- Sinisterness (noun): The quality of being sinister.
- The sinisterness of the atmosphere was palpable.
Synonyms
- Ominous: Suggesting that something bad is going to happen.
- Menacing: Suggesting the presence of danger; threatening.
- Malevolent: Having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
- Baleful: Threatening harm; menacing.
Antonyms
- Benevolent: Well-meaning and kindly.
- Benign: Gentle and kindly; not harmful.
- Innocuous: Not harmful or offensive.
Idioms and Phrases
- A sinister turn of events: A development in a situation that becomes unexpectedly threatening or bad.
- The negotiations took a sinister turn of events when threats were made.
- With sinister intent: With a harmful or evil purpose.
- He entered the building with sinister intent.
Adjective
- on or starting from the wearer's left
- bar sinister
- stemming from evil characteristics or forces; wicked or dishonorable
- black deeds
- a black lie
- his black heart has concocted yet another black deed
- Darth Vader of the dark side
- a dark purpose
- dark undercurrents of ethnic hostility
- the scheme of some sinister intelligence bent on punishing him-Thomas Hardy
- 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