sinister
Seeming evil or threatening, as if something bad is about to happen.
sinister in a sentence
- A sinister shadow slid across the wall of the abandoned house.
- There was something sinister about the locked tower in the game, as if trouble waited inside.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to sinister?
- Acheerful
- Bevil
- Cfriendly
- Dkind
Show the answer
B: evil. The other three mean the opposite of sinister.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to sinister?
- Acreepy
- Bscary
- Cevil
- Dfriendly
Show the answer
D: friendly. The other three mean nearly the same as sinister.
Words that mean something similar
evil, creepy, scary
Words that mean the opposite
friendly, kind, cheerful
More words about character & personality
- sly: Clever at tricking people in a sneaky way.
- smug: Too pleased with yourself in a way that annoys other people.
- sober: Serious and calm, not silly or playful.
- sprightly: Lively and full of energy, especially for someone old.
- staunch: Very loyal and firm in your support.
- steadfast: Staying firm and not giving up, no matter what happens.
- stern: Strict and serious, expecting to be obeyed.
- stubborn: Refusing to change your mind, even when you might be wrong.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test