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

The league suspended Greenlaw, determining his aggressive post-game behavior violated Rule 12, Section 3, Article 1(b), which strictly prohibits the use of abusive, threatening, or insulting language or gestures toward game officials. — Armando Salguero Outkick, FOXNews.com, 12 Oct. 2026

The second man went on his own to a hospital with injuries that police described as serious but not life-threatening. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026

The driver was also hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, police said. — Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 10 Oct. 2026

When the researchers silenced the somatostatin neurons, the mice stopped trying so hard to avoid the threatening odor in their midst. — Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threatening

• life-threatening

Rhymes for threatening

• nonthreatening