Antonym – Choose the option that best expresses the opposite meaning of the highlighted word in the sentence below. Sentence: The atmosphere in that desolate place looked “ominous.” Target word: ominous (meaning: threatening, suggestive of bad outcomes)

Introduction / Context:
Ominous describes a sign or atmosphere that portends trouble or bad outcomes. The antonym should convey positive signs or good fortune. In evaluative language about signs/portents, the conventional opposite is auspicious (promising success), though favorable and encouraging are near-opposites depending on context.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Target word: ominous = foreboding, threatening.
• Domain: signs/portents/atmosphere.
• Plausible opposites include auspicious and favorable.

Concept / Approach:
Choose the antonym that mirrors the same “omen/portent” register. Auspicious is the established lexical opposite to ominous in discussions of omens, ceremonies, and beginnings. Pleasant describes personal feeling; encouraging relates to morale; favorable is broad but less specifically “omen-like.”

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Dictionary antonym lists pair ominous with auspicious and propitious; both mean promising success, validating this choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• pleasant: Affects mood/comfort, not omen status.
• encouraging: Boosts morale; not a set antonym for ominous.
• favorable: Broadly positive but less precise than auspicious for omens.

Common Pitfalls:
Picking any positive adjective. For antonyms, match the register and semantic field; “auspicious” does that best here.

Final Answer:
auspicious