Sinister: meaning, definitions and examples
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sinister
[ ˈsɪnɪstər ]
suspicious behavior
giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen
Synonyms
evil, malevolent, ominous, wicked
Examples of usage
- There was something sinister about his smile.
- She had a sinister motive for helping him.
left side
located on or towards the left side, especially when considered unlucky or evil
Synonyms
evil, inauspicious, left, unlucky
Examples of usage
- The sinister figure in the painting seemed to follow you with its eyes.
- He felt a chill as he walked down the sinister alleyway.
Translations
Translations of the word "sinister" in other languages:
🇵🇹 sinistro
🇮🇳 अमंगल
🇩🇪 unheimlich
🇮🇩 menyeramkan
🇺🇦 зловісний
🇵🇱 złowrogi
🇯🇵 不気味な
🇫🇷 sinistre
🇪🇸 sinistro
🇹🇷 uğursuz
🇰🇷 불길한
🇸🇦 مشؤوم
🇨🇿 zlověstný
🇸🇰 zlovestný
🇨🇳 不祥的
🇸🇮 zlovešč
🇮🇸 óheillavænlegur
🇰🇿 зұлым
🇬🇪 მავნე
🇦🇿 uğursuz
🇲🇽 sinistro
Word origin
The word 'sinister' originated from the Latin word 'sinister', which originally meant 'on the left side' or 'unlucky'. In ancient Rome, the left side was often associated with bad omens, and this association carried over into English where 'sinister' came to mean evil or threatening. Over time, the word has evolved to also encompass the sense of something mysterious or foreboding.