inauspicious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'inauspicious' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is not favorable or that does not have a good outcome. For example, "The cloudy sky was a good indicator of an inauspicious beginning to the day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If Ed Miliband thought the Saturday headlines were inauspicious, then the Sunday front-page headlines were ghastly.

The Guardian

The government's swine-flu diagnosis website for people in England was running smoothly today after an inauspicious launch yesterday.

The Guardian

Roberto Donadoni's inauspicious start to life as the Napoli manager continued with a 2 0 defeat at Cagliari.

The Guardian - Sport

He could not salvage a victory for Roma on Sunday but a 2-2 draw could still be considered a success after such an inauspicious start against opponents who had dropped only two points since the start of December.

The Guardian - Sport

THE latest attempt by France and Germany to revive tired old industrial policies by jointly creating European business champions got off to an inauspicious start.

The Economist

The Chinese are also growing steadily more alarmed about the conflict between Myanmar's army and the Kachin Independence Army (known by the perhaps inauspicious initials "KIA") and the potential of its spilling over into China.

The Economist

IT HAS been an inauspicious start to the year for justice in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Economist

California, the state that has always reached the future first, is preparing to pay its bills with IOUs.America has had an inauspicious start to the 21st century, to put it mildly.

The Economist

It launched its own satellites, but before a launch the gods would be invoked with flowers and sandalwood paste; its IT was the envy of the world, but even middle-class people would not start a new project on "inauspicious" Saturdays.

The Economist

Of the 52 Republican congressmen who joined the 172 Democrats in opposing the bill earlier today, many are aligned with the Tea Party.This is an inauspicious moment for a party that has moved from the margins to the centre.

The Economist

(Diplomatic relations were further complicated by the inauspicious news of September 16th: the new ambassador to China, Shinichi Nishimiya, died suddenly in Tokyo).Mr Noda's plea followed a spate of minor physical attacks on Japanese nationals in Shanghai, which is home to 60,000 Japanese expats.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "inauspicious" to describe beginnings, events, or circumstances that suggest a negative or unfavorable outcome is likely.

Common error

Avoid using "inauspicious" when a situation is simply inconvenient or mildly annoying; reserve it for scenarios where the outlook is genuinely unfavorable or carries significant negative implications.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "inauspicious" primarily functions to describe nouns, indicating that they are not likely to be successful or bring good fortune. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples where "inauspicious" modifies terms like 'start', 'moment', and 'circumstances'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "inauspicious" is an adjective used to describe something unfavorable or unlucky. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, especially in News & Media. When using "inauspicious", it's important to consider its intensity; reserve it for situations with genuinely negative implications. Related phrases include "unpromising" and "ill-omened", but these have differences in the semantic nuances. Overall, "inauspicious" effectively conveys a sense of foreboding when used appropriately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unpromising

Focuses on the lack of potential for a positive outcome.

ill-omened

Emphasizes a sense of foreboding or negative prediction.

unfortunate

Highlights the negative aspect of an event or situation.

unlucky

Directly relates to the idea of bad luck or ill fortune.

unfavorable

Indicates conditions are not conducive to success.

adverse

Suggests opposing or harmful circumstances.

untoward

Implies something inappropriate or unwelcome.

doomed

Suggests a predetermined negative fate.

portending misfortune

Emphasizes the predictive aspect of bad luck.

boding ill

Focuses on the negative signs or omens present.

FAQs

How can I use "inauspicious" in a sentence?

You can use "inauspicious" to describe the start of something, such as "The project had an "inauspicious" beginning due to budget cuts." It can also describe events or circumstances.

What words can I use instead of "inauspicious"?

Alternatives include "unpromising", "ill-omened", or "unfortunate", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "an inauspicious auspicious"?

No, it is not correct. "Inauspicious" means not auspicious or unlucky, so "inauspicious auspicious" is contradictory. You should choose one or the other.

What is the difference between "inauspicious" and "unfortunate"?

"Inauspicious" suggests that something is likely to be unsuccessful or bring bad luck, often based on omens or circumstances. "Unfortunate" /s/unfortunate simply means unlucky or regrettable, without necessarily implying a negative prediction.