好词典

sinister

UK //ˈsɪn.ɪ.stər//US //ˈsɪn.ə.stɚ//

词源

源自拉丁语 'sinister'(左侧的),古罗马认为左侧是不吉利的象征,后引申为邪恶之意。

adjective

❶ 形容事物或人带有邪恶、不祥或威胁性的特质,常用于描述令人不安的意图、氛围或外表。

“The old house had a sinister appearance at night.”

(那座老房子在夜晚显得阴森可怖。)

“He gave her a sinister smile that sent chills down her spine.”

(他朝她露出一个令人毛骨悚然的微笑。)

同义词:evil, malevolent, ominous

常见短语

sinister motive — 指隐藏的恶意目的,常用于怀疑某人行为背后有不可告人的意图时。

“She suspected her colleague had a sinister motive for offering help so suddenly.”

(她怀疑同事突然提供帮助是别有用心。)