threatening

adjective threat·en·ing \ ˈthret-niŋ , ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ \

Definition of threatening

: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

play \ˈthret-niŋ-lē, ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ-\ adverb

- gestured threateningly

Recent Examples of threatening from the Web

What Downing wanted most heading into this offseason was to acquire a threatening tight end (incumbent Clive Walford is more of a No. 2.)

— andy benoit, SI.com, "Oakland Raiders: 10 Things You Need to Know," 28 Aug. 2017
Cole explains that scientists used to think that the circuitry for detecting and responding physiologically to threatening circumstances was there to protect the survival of the individual.

— elin kelsey, Smithsonian, "What Humpback Whales Can Teach Us About Compassion," 18 Aug. 2017
The strange controversy between the President and Congress, at one time so threatening, is disposed of by the people.

— frederick douglass, The Atlantic, "‘A Treacherous President Stood in the Way’," 16 Aug. 2017
Carmen Gonzalez Caldwell ▪ If someone sends a mean or threatening message, don’t respond.

— carmen gonzalez caldwell, miamiherald, "Be a nosy parent and help protect your kids from cyberbullying," 16 Aug. 2017
Lowering drug prices was a major campaign promise for Trump, and throughout the early part of the year, Trump made threatening and vague statements about the prices of drugs being too high.

— jena mcgregor, sacbee, "Trump fires back after Merck CEO resigns from panel over Charlottesville response," 14 Aug. 2017
HVAR, Croatia — The bucolic island of Hvar has a new, slightly threatening message to welcome this year’s tourist throng: Behave, or else.

— rick lyman, The Seattle Times, "Croatian Island wants tourists who don’t behave badly," 9 Aug. 2017
Titusville police were alerted to a threatening phone call Friday night, and shortly after requested that the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad investigate the incident, spokesman Tod Goodyear said.

— bianca padró ocasio, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Bomb threat reported in Titusville theater," 28 July 2017
Left behind was a note with a threatening message referencing Joy Huntington, a Fairbanks City Council member who shares the family's last name but is not related to Joyce.

— laurel andrews, Alaska Dispatch News, "Galena family’s cabins burned down, a threatening note left at scene, family says," 24 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'threatening.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.