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 of threatening

• 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

Social media sites used for hateful comments Pumphrey made threatening posts on the social media platform YouTube and other social media sites, according to the guilty plea. — Adam Thompson, CBS News, 30 June 2026

In the context of law enforcement, is the perception of Black women as inherently aggressive, threatening, and invulnerable to pain. — Maia Niguel Hoskin, Forbes.com, 29 June 2026

At the fringes of the debate, the tone could sometimes be genuinely threatening. — Oscar Schwartz, New Yorker, 29 June 2026

Panama's Ismael Díaz has had a few opportunities the past few minutes, but none of them resulted in a particularly threatening scoring chance. — Nbc News, NBC news, 28 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threatening

• life-threatening

Rhymes for threatening

• nonthreatening