PORTENDING EVIL is a phrase used to describe something that foreshadows an impending disaster or bad event. The crossword solutions for this term are SINISTER (8 letters), BALEFUL (7 letters) and OMINOUS (7 letters). SINISTER is an adjective meaning threatening or evil in nature, while BALEFUL is an adjective meaning full of sorrow or misfortune. Lastly, OMINOUS is an adjective meaning suggesting something bad will happen. All three words can be used to describe something that portends evil.