Word of the Day
March 5, 2026
Inauspicious
Not conducive to success; not favorable; ill-omened; suggesting that the future is unpromising.
From Latin 'inauspiciosus,' combining the prefix 'in-' (not) with 'auspicium' (divination by observing the flight of birds). In Roman practice, an inauspicious omen meant the gods did not favor the proposed action.
Usage Examples
- The 70-page tax bill advancing through the Colorado legislature represents an inauspicious development for small business owners already struggling with skyrocketing property taxes.
- George Washington used the word inauspicious in his farewell address to warn against the dangers of political factions and foreign entanglements.
- The city council's decision to split one zoning ordinance into four was an inauspicious attempt to suppress citizen participation in the referendum process.
From the Show
Kim Monson drew the word inauspicious from George Washington’s farewell address, applying it to the flood of problematic legislation advancing through the Colorado Statehouse. Dave Evans called HB26-1203 an inauspicious bill for its attempt to install ranked choice voting in county elections, and Kim extended the label to HB26-1289 and the broader tax assault on Colorado citizens. Explore the full discussion in Lakewood’s Zoning Fight, Colorado’s Tax Assault, and the Case for National Repentance.