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

The complaint said Sweeney argued with Martin early in the day on May 18, but things turned more threatening later that night. —Chris Ramirez, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025

Those injured were taken to University Hospital with non-life threatening injuries, according to the prosecutor’s office. —Mark Crudele, ABC News, 11 Dec. 2025

Not a threatening level, but the pace of the increase has traders’ attention. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 Dec. 2025

As the economist Kenneth Rogoff has noted, threatening countries only encourages them to diversify their currencies. —Elizabeth Economy, Foreign Affairs, 9 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threatening

• life-threatening

Rhymes for threatening

• nonthreatening