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
At this moment, the prospect of an internet linked to our real identity has never felt so threatening.
—
Albert Fox Cahn, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
Nevertheless, the JPMorgan trading desk expects that a more threatening level in core, year-over-year inflation would mean a rate of 4.0%, rather than the 3.0% some economists are expecting from the next core CPI report.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
The decision sparked a firestorm on social media — where much of the debate around these issues is taking place — and Jackson-Smith was the target of abusive and threatening comments from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine supporters.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Working with costume designer Mari-An Ceo, Robinson updated the killer’s costume both to fit the identity of the new murderer and to amplify the wardrobe’s more threatening qualities.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
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Albert Fox Cahn, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025
Nevertheless, the JPMorgan trading desk expects that a more threatening level in core, year-over-year inflation would mean a rate of 4.0%, rather than the 3.0% some economists are expecting from the next core CPI report.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2025
The decision sparked a firestorm on social media — where much of the debate around these issues is taking place — and Jackson-Smith was the target of abusive and threatening comments from both pro-Israel and pro-Palestine supporters.
—Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 7 Aug. 2025
Working with costume designer Mari-An Ceo, Robinson updated the killer’s costume both to fit the identity of the new murderer and to amplify the wardrobe’s more threatening qualities.
—Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 17 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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