— sinisterly , adv. — sinisterness , n.
/sin"euh steuhr/ , adj.
1. threatening or portending evil, harm, or trouble; ominous: a sinister remark.
2. bad, evil, base, or wicked; fell: his sinister purposes.
3. unfortunate; disastrous; unfavorable: a sinister accident.
4. of or on the left side; left.
5. Heraldry. noting the side of an escutcheon or achievement of arms that is to the left of the bearer (opposed to dexter ).
[ 1375-1425; late ME ]
Syn. 1. inauspicious, portentous. 3. unlucky.
Ant. 1. benign. 3. favorable.