threatening

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

Synonyms of threatening

• impending
• looming
• possible

Examples of threatening in a Sentence

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

Officials at Gustavo Fricke Hospital said five people — including two babies — were admitted with various traumatic injuries that were not life-threatening. — Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2026

The driver and another passenger were hospitalized with injuries that police said were not life-threatening. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 13 July 2026

Investigators ultimately classified the encounter as non-threatening because the object never approached sensitive assets. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 July 2026

Cyclospora infections rarely lead to hospitalizations and are not typically life-threatening. — Cindy Krischer Goodman, Sun Sentinel, 10 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threatening

• life-threatening

Rhymes for threatening

• nonthreatening