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 victim's injuries were not deemed life-threatening.
—
Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 4 Feb. 2026
His injuries were described as not life-threatening.
—Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
The San Francisco Police Department said that the girl was critically injured and later died at the hospital, while the two other victims were hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
One of the men was pronounced dead at the hospital, and the other man suffered serious injuries that were not life-threatening, said Officer Allison Smith, a Sacramento Police Department spokesperson.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
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Scott Butler, Florida Times-Union, 4 Feb. 2026
His injuries were described as not life-threatening.
—Jacob Beltran, San Antonio Express-News, 4 Feb. 2026
The San Francisco Police Department said that the girl was critically injured and later died at the hospital, while the two other victims were hospitalized with injuries that were not life-threatening.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 4 Feb. 2026
One of the men was pronounced dead at the hospital, and the other man suffered serious injuries that were not life-threatening, said Officer Allison Smith, a Sacramento Police Department spokesperson.
—Rosalio Ahumada, Sacbee.com, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 12 Feb. 2026.
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