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
Ayo Akinwolere, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Mace and Oihane controlled the wings, stopping the Courage from ever truly threatening.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026
N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Plus, with carbon pricing now covering 28 percent of global emissions, the industry faces growing exposure to a new layer of fiscal jeopardy, threatening the viability of traditional low-cost production models.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
Only centre-back William Saliba completed more passes than the 19-year-old, while he was involved in the most possession sequences, jumping from space to space in midfield and knitting together Arsenal’s most threatening passing moves.
—Ayo Akinwolere, New York Times, 10 May 2026
Mace and Oihane controlled the wings, stopping the Courage from ever truly threatening.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026
Verb
Many family members also accused Kouri Richins of threatening and attacking them in the wake of the murder.
—N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 May 2026
Plus, with carbon pricing now covering 28 percent of global emissions, the industry faces growing exposure to a new layer of fiscal jeopardy, threatening the viability of traditional low-cost production models.
—Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 6 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
Pushed by an exacting director to pour her grief into the performance, she is simultaneously visited by the ghost of her deceased partner, who carries an impending climate prophecy.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
16 May 2026
-
That show landed in the summer of 2020, right when the country needed a charming, good-hearted antidote to the terrors of COVID lockdown and an impending election.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
16 May 2026
Adjective
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But recent days have seen the ominous appearance of public gun kiosks, where civilians are being offered basic lessons in using weapons – a sign of how the hardening Iranian authorities are readying people for further conflict.—
Matthew Chance,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
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The idea of a managerial change in October if Liverpool stick with Slot through the off-season feels ominous, because a couple of poor early results will bring back the negativity currently engulfing the club and his position will become untenable.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
17 May 2026
Adjective
-
But pretty quickly, Wahl said that both the mother and police realized something more dangerous could be brewing.—
Amanda Lee Myers,
USA Today,
19 May 2026
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Sheets touched on the other key to his success — and any dangerous hitter’s success — in the above quote.—
Kevin Acee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
18 May 2026
Verb
-
Santiago was charged with menacing a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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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
Adjective
-
Anais has no idea that this institute in the desert is run by a secret cult – where healing is not the objective – but a gateway to something far more sinister.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
On their first album under the moniker, the two noisemakers from Animal Collective delight in this combination, foregrounding campfire acoustics while sinister drones lurk around the corner.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
12 May 2026
Adjective
-
That land was also home to a portion of the Citizens Gas manufactured gas plant, leaving behind layers of coal tar and hazardous waste.—
Michelle de la Uz,
New York Daily News,
13 May 2026
-
An air quality alert is issued by the government when air pollution levels reach unhealthy or hazardous levels to help people take proactive measures.—
Natassia Paloma,
USA Today,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
He was charged with seven counts, including first-degree reckless endangering safety and two counts of eluding an officer.—
Sean Joseph OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
17 May 2026
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Set at the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war, the intimate thriller follows Kyiv newlyweds trapped in their apartment and cut off from the outside world, a situation endangering both their lives and their relationship.—
Ben Croll,
Variety,
15 May 2026
Adjective
-
Closing arguments are on Thursday, and a decision from an advisory jury and the judge overseeing the case, Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, are possible next week.—
John Ruwitch,
NPR,
12 May 2026
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
12 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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