hanging (over)

Definition of hanging (over)next
present participle of hang (over)
as in threatening
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on as long as the possibility of having to move again was hanging over them, the family couldn't really settle in

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for hanging (over)
threatening
Verb
  • Not long afterward, he was elected president on a platform deeply hostile to the West and its liberal ideology, and especially to the United States — threatening a hard fight in the event of war.
    Xiaoqian Lin, CNN Money, 6 July 2026
  • Severe thunderstorms are also forecast to develop later in the day, threatening fireworks displays and other outdoor events from the Plains to the Northeast with damaging winds, lightning and heavy downpours.
    Kyla Guilfoil, NBC news, 5 July 2026
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hanging (over).” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hanging%20%28over%29. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster