sinister weather

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sinister weather" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe weather conditions that are ominous, threatening, or foreboding, often implying a sense of danger or unease. Example: "As the storm clouds gathered on the horizon, the sinister weather made everyone uneasy about the impending storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Loopy Danniella Westbrook, sports bores John Fashanu and Phil Tufnell, sinister weather-woman Sian Lloyd and smug Antony Worrall Thompson all appeared to conform, in one way or another, to recognisably annoying personality types.

The Guardian

We're all gradually beginning to feel a little uneasy about climate change, and talking about the weather now has a sinister undercurrent to it.

Independent

And this makes his ultimate triumph, over a convoluted and sinister scheme involving diamonds, DNA and weather-altering satellites, all the more satisfying.

The New York Times

In the decades since, the weather has acquired a vaguely sinister cast: more political in nature, more intricate and convoluted.

The New York Times - Magazine

Moon landings, night lorries, water towers, sinister in the gloaming; JFK in mid-speech, tomorrow's weather, Liberty raising her torch, street signs pointing far into the distance; the American dream, the American flag, Vietnam, Titian.

The Guardian - Arts

The mounting fatalities lent a sinister aspect to Germany's practice of allowing companies to sponsor high and low pressure weather systems.

Independent

This complementary interplay takes on sinister implications in Ms. Soderberg's two "Skystack" pieces, in which the city's pollution subtly interacts with natural weather effects.

The New York Times

Sinister menace?

The New York Times - Arts

But sinister?

The Economist

"Sinister," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Woo... sinister.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sinister weather" to create a sense of unease or foreboding in your writing. It's particularly effective in fiction or descriptive passages where you want to set a dark or suspenseful mood.

Common error

Avoid using "sinister weather" in scientific or purely factual reports. Opt for more neutral terms like "severe weather" or "unfavorable conditions" in those contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sinister weather" functions primarily as a descriptive element, modifying the noun "weather" with the adjective "sinister" to evoke a sense of impending doom or unease. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sinister weather" is a grammatically sound and evocative expression used to describe weather conditions that are perceived as ominous or threatening. While not exceedingly common, as noted by Ludwig, it is appropriately used in descriptive writing to create a sense of unease or foreboding. Its primary function is to set a specific mood, particularly in fictional or narrative contexts. Alternative phrases, such as "ominous weather" or "threatening weather", can be used depending on the desired nuance. Overusing the phrase in technical or scientific contexts should be avoided, as more neutral terminology is often preferable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

ominous weather

Replaces "sinister" with a synonym that emphasizes the foreboding nature of the weather.

threatening weather

Focuses on the potential danger and harm that the weather might cause.

foreboding weather

Highlights the feeling that something bad is going to happen due to the weather.

menacing weather

Emphasizes the intimidating and potentially harmful nature of the weather.

dark weather

A more general term that can imply sinister qualities depending on the context.

unsettling weather

Describes weather that makes people feel anxious or uneasy.

stormy weather

A classic way to describe turbulent and potentially dangerous atmospheric conditions.

frightening weather

Highlights the fear that the weather induces.

bad weather

A simple, general term that can be used to describe weather with negative characteristics.

severe weather

Describes weather conditions that pose a significant threat to life and property.

FAQs

What does "sinister weather" mean?

"Sinister weather" describes weather conditions that are ominous, threatening, or create a feeling of unease and foreboding.

What can I say instead of "sinister weather"?

You can use alternatives like "ominous weather", "threatening weather", or "foreboding weather" depending on the context.

Is "sinister weather" a common phrase?

The phrase "sinister weather" is not exceedingly common, but it is readily understood and appropriately used in descriptive writing to convey a sense of impending doom or unease associated with the weather.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "sinister weather"?

It is most appropriate in creative writing, such as fiction or descriptive passages, where you want to evoke a dark or suspenseful mood. Avoid it in scientific reports where neutral terminology is preferred.