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

2 of 2

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

Officers treated the victim until they could be taken to a hospital with injuries that police said weren’t life-threatening. — Fedor Zarkhin, Los Angeles Times, 24 Aug. 2026

The Tarrant County decorum policy prohibits personal attacks, impertinent, profane, obscene, or slanderous remarks as well as threatening, disruptive or unruly behavior. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Aug. 2026

He was taken to the hospital with injuries that are not life-threatening, CPW spokesperson Kara Van Hoose said. — Katie Langford, Denver Post, 22 Aug. 2026

Flooding and mudslides on the Big Island could be life-threatening, especially in steep terrain and over areas recently affected by Lala, said CBS News meteorologist Nikki Nolan. — Mark Osborne, CBS News, 22 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threatening

• life-threatening

Rhymes for threatening

• nonthreatening