threatening

adjective

threat·​en·​ing ˈthret-niŋ How to pronounce threatening (audio)
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- How to pronounce threatening (audio)
adverb
gestured threateningly

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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 See All Example Sentences for threatening

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of threatening was in 1530

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on threatening

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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