threatening

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adjective

threat·​en·​ing ˈthret-niŋ 

ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ

: expressing or suggesting a threat of harm, danger, etc.

received a threatening message

a threatening manner

: indicating or suggesting the approach of possible trouble or danger

saw threatening clouds on the horizon

threateningly

ˈthret-niŋ-lē, 

ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ- 

adverb

gestured threateningly

threatening

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present participle of threaten

Synonyms of threatening

Adjective

• impending
• looming
• possible

Examples of threatening in a Sentence

Adjective

economists warning of a threatening recession

a threatening silence followed the loud thump in the adjoining motel room

threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Elon Musk — Ike Barinholtz has Musk wandering in from another movie, or dimension, a ramble-y, arrogant but ultimately comically non-threatening figure. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026

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

To that end, nearly all of the decor bears spiky edges or angular forms; the furniture feels nearly as threatening as the characters within. — Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threatening

• life-threatening

Rhymes for threatening

• nonthreatening