threatened

adjective

threat·​ened ˈthre-tᵊnd 

: having an uncertain chance of continued survival

a threatened species

specifically : likely to become an endangered species

Examples of threatened in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Preventing and responding to threatened pandemics requires society-wide mobilization, and only the president can lead that process. — David Blumenthal, STAT, 20 July 2026

Advertisement Burgum also said that 97% of threatened species are still on the list today—a source of frustration for Republican lawmakers, who say that longstanding habitat protections hamper economic development in their districts. — Rebecca Schneid, Time, 19 July 2026

Such detailed understanding is vital for conserving threatened elasmobranchs and their habitats. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

The trees are considered vital for the future health of the forest and the survival of many rare and threatened species. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above