threatening 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthret-niŋ How to pronounce threatening (audio)
Definition of threateningnext
1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence economists warning of a threatening recession

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come a threatening silence followed the loud thump in the adjoining motel room

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3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting

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threatening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of threaten
as in menacing
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of threatening
Adjective
Wouldn’t true stories would seem more threatening, to a power-mad book burner? — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 Paramedics transported the pedestrian to a hospital with injuries police believed to be life-threatening. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
Unfortunately, the same forces that defeated previous permitting reform packages — primarily left-wing interest groups — are threatening to smother this legislation. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 His far-right political allies, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, were threatening to withdraw their support and topple the government if Netanyahu moved forward with the deal and ended the war. — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
  1. impending
  2. ominous
  3. dangerous
  4. menacing
  5. possible
  6. sinister
  7. hazardous
  8. endangering
Adjective
  • Aubrey Layne, Sentara’s chief administrative officer, said lower payment rates from government programs — and impending cuts to Medicaid — are forcing the hospital to play hardball with the insurers that are representing employers.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The film is a satire about an impending climate change apocalypse that’s triggered by the drilling operations of oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Cruise, who looks nearly unrecognizable clad in prosthetics and graying hair.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of impending
Adjective
  • The oceans’ vastness can feel ominous, and though scientists have studied what lurks beneath, so much remains unknown.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Hong Kong — Days before Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi was killed, her father-in-law and brother-in-law allegedly went on an ominous shopping spree.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • When threatening phone calls begin and a dangerous fugitive surfaces in town, Jenny grows suspicious of everyone around her as the danger begins closing in.
    — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 11 Oct. 2026
  • One of the reasons being an actor is both dangerous and a privilege is that your job is to think about all the different roads your life could take, and all the people that live inside you, and all your potential.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Verb
  • The midterm elections are looming and the first hurricane of the Atlantic Season is menacing the Gulf Coast.
    — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Dennis Hopper won a Best Villain MTV Movie Award for menacing a bus in this film.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of menacing
Adjective
  • Another 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible through the rest of the weekend, with localized totals exceeding 5 inches, as showers shift toward the Northeast.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Cappu is using the market to meet distributors and other possible partners on the title, with available rights to be confirmed on a per-territory basis.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Grace Carroll gives a poignant performance as the Nightingale—borne aloft with arched back and trembling, outstretched hands by other dancers, who play thorns that pierce her breast—and Adam Elmes makes a seductively sinister Dorian Gray.
    — Hannah Aizenman, New Yorker, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Clark plays the daughter of Ursula (Jessica Chastain) and Russ (Jay Duplass), a young girl terrorized by a sinister figure who looks just like her mother, known as the titular Other Mommy.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • The facility has sign for consumer advisory for undercooked food, and the potentially hazardous items are marked, but the sign is lacking asterisks.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The production was shut down in Livingston, Montana last Saturday when locals complained about the production’s impact on the Livingston food bank and improper warnings about hazardous stunts.
    — Pat Saperstein, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of hazardous
Verb
  • Court records show he's been charged with third-degree murder, strangulation, involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Against that backdrop, pupils' complaints that education funding shortfalls are endangering their futures have found a sympathetic audience.
    — NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of endangering

Browse Nearby Words

threatened
threatening
threatens
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Cite this Entry

“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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