sinister meaning and definition

SINISTER adjective

Definition of sinister (adjective)

1. 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"
   • synonyms: baleful, forbidding, menacing, minacious, minatory, ominous, threatening
2. 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
   • synonyms: black, dark
3. on or starting from the wearer's left
   • "bar sinister"