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forebodingly

forebodingly

8.4
In a way that shows something bad will happen
  • adverb
  • /fɔːrˈboʊdɪŋli/
translation icon : presagiosamente
  • "With this in mind, they christened the dry spell of the early 2000s a "global-change-type drought" -- not a phrase that sings but one that lingers forebodingly in the mind.

Examples

  • She looked forebodingly at the storm clouds gathering in the distance, sensing trouble ahead.

  • As the thunderstorm approached, the sky darkened and hung forebodingly overhead.

  • The abandoned house stood forebodingly on the edge of the cliff, making passerby uneasy.

Synonyms

disturbingly
vsforebodingly
14 5.3

In a way that makes you feel worried or uneasy

signals possible bad outcomes rather than only causing upset feelings
ominously
vsforebodingly
12 6.9

In a way that shows something bad will happen

implies future bad events but in a more neutral predictive way
chillingly
vsforebodingly
3 6.3

In a way that makes you feel afraid or very uncomfortable

hints at upcoming bad events more than causing immediate fear
portentously
vsforebodingly
  • Formal
1 9.0

In a way that shows something bad or important is about to happen

suggests bad events generally but without stressing great importance
unsettlingly
vsforebodingly
1 7.0

In a way that makes you feel worried or nervous

focuses on suggesting future bad events rather than present unease
sinisterly
vsforebodingly
7.5

In a way that seems evil or threatening

implies danger or misfortune rather than deliberate malice
worrisomely
vsforebodingly
6.2

In a way that makes people feel nervous or unsure

points to likely bad events more than simple concern or worry

Antonyms

34 1.0

In a happy, friendly way that shows you want to help

In a cheerful, relaxed way without worry

How Ominous

menacingly
6 6.3
forebodingly
8.4
ominously
12 6.9

Surface Forms

forebodingly positive

Morphology

forebodingly = foreboding (semi-transparent) = fore + bode + ing + ly

Forming an adverb with the productive suffix '-ly' from the adjective 'foreboding' is straightforward and predictable.

Etymology

Forebodingly comes from fore- meaning 'before' and bode meaning 'to be a sign', the same 'fore-' you see in forecast or foresee. So something done forebodingly gives an early, worrying sign that something bad or unpleasant will happen.