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
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 authors of that threatening letter are performing for what may be a very narrow and shrinking voting base.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
Saka, England’s most threatening player in Saturday’s match, cut inside and curled a shot past Yann Sommer in the 80th minute for his first goal of the competition.
—Glynn A. Hill, Washington Post, 6 July 2024
And each time the Liberty made a threatening run, the WNBA MVP candidate was right there for the buzzkill.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 26 June 2024
Dervish's threatening behavior was well-known among members of the department and law enforcement before the shooting occurred.
—Sarah Lapidus, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for threatening 
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2024
Saka, England’s most threatening player in Saturday’s match, cut inside and curled a shot past Yann Sommer in the 80th minute for his first goal of the competition.
—Glynn A. Hill, Washington Post, 6 July 2024
And each time the Liberty made a threatening run, the WNBA MVP candidate was right there for the buzzkill.
—Fiifi Frimpong, New York Daily News, 26 June 2024
Dervish's threatening behavior was well-known among members of the department and law enforcement before the shooting occurred.
—Sarah Lapidus, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for threatening
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'threatening.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.
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