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

One had injuries that were not life-threatening, and the other boy, who was in critical condition, later died, Fernandez said. —Wren Smetana, AZCentral.com, 4 Oct. 2025

The driver and passenger of the second vehicle were transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries, the release said. —Theresa Clift, Sacbee.com, 4 Oct. 2025

Smaller space rocks like 2025 TF are harder to spot, in part because the network of telescopes is optimized to catch larger and more threatening objects. —Elizabeth Howell, Space.com, 3 Oct. 2025

The driver and a student were transported to a hospital with non-life threatening injuries. —Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threatening

• life-threatening

Rhymes for threatening

• nonthreatening