1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
economists warning of a threatening recession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
a threatening silence followed the loud thump in the adjoining motel room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in menacing
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of threatening
Joe Marusak
march 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
All sustained non-life threatening injuries.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Advocates warn a similar effort is unfolding in Florida, threatening to shut out thousands of Muslims from benefiting from the national movement to allow public money to be spent on private schools.
—Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
Glover’s front-seat passenger, Catherine Glover of Morganton, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, Macchia said.
—Joe Marusak
march 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
All sustained non-life threatening injuries.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Trump is expected to send Congress a request for more money for his war, while threatening to stop signing bills until Republicans pass a voter ID and citizenship law that faces serious hurdles.
—Nicholas Wu, semafor.com, 11 Mar. 2026
Advocates warn a similar effort is unfolding in Florida, threatening to shut out thousands of Muslims from benefiting from the national movement to allow public money to be spent on private schools.
—Lauren Lumpkin, Washington Post, 11 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
Despite standing as an impending free agent and coming off his first All-Star appearance just a month ago, Powell expressed a desire to go with the flow.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Last spring, Antonio was cast as Conor in ‘A Monster Calls,’ portraying a young boy grappling with the impending loss of his mother to cancer.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
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Since Caesar's assassination, the Ides of March has been associated with other misfortune and doom, with several other ominous events taking place on March 15 throughout history.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The private weather service AccuWeather calculated that more than 200 million people were under threat Monday of some kind of dangerous weather.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Prominent quartz slab makers acknowledge that processing produces dangerous dust, but claim risks are avoidable.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some argue that the only way to stop Iran from menacing the region and its people is to crush this regime.—
Dennis Ross,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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As the two catch up, Crudup veers from good-natured to sorrowful to bitter to menacing in a matter of minutes.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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As labor complications ensue, a blizzard rages outside trapping the family in their home – sitting ducks for whatever sinister presence might be in there with them.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
11 Mar. 2026
-
Dumas’ sinister seductress Milady is now a British spy helping the Nazis.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Scientists warn that this chemical fallout is far more hazardous and complex than standard urban pollution.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
11 Mar. 2026
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Some hazardous storms ongoing Wednesday morning in the Midwest and Texas will get another boost of energy in the afternoon as the threat stretches out and tracks east.—
Holly Yan,
CNN Money,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Strangers could board and jump off the boats, endangering themselves, or vandalize the craft, the lawsuit says.—
Joe Marusak
March 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
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Cops arrested him on robbery, menacing and endangering the welfare of a child charges for the Tuesday hold up.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Supporters of the referendum have expressed excitement over the amenities that would come with the possible Frontier Sports Complex activity center while opponents have expressed concerns over a potential financial burden the referendum would impose.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
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