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

• 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

The first Tennessean arrested in connection with a threatening social media post referencing Charlie Kirk's shooting death made his first court appearance and has his second scheduled to determine bond. —Craig Shoup, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Oct. 2025

Isbell was charged federally with mailing a threatening communication, according to the DOJ. —Alexander Mallin, ABC News, 10 Oct. 2025

Sam Altman’s Open AI, parent of ChatGPT, just unveiled Sora 2— the apps latest, and most threatening to Hollywood, version of Sora. —Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 9 Oct. 2025

But unleash the foley artists (sound designers), and the flora's dripping slime and ominous pulsing are infinitely more threatening, as a soldier learns to fatal cost later in the season. —Richard Edwards, Space.com, 8 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threatening

• life-threatening

Rhymes for threatening

• nonthreatening