THREATENED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

threatened 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of threatened

as in endangered

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threatened

2 of 2

verb

past tense of threaten

as in menaced

to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.

Recent Examples of threatened

Adjective

This ‘living fossil’ is threatened with extinction Guitarfish are among the ocean’s most threatened fish, as demand for their fins fuels a multimillion-dollar trade. — Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 30 June 2026 Other artists – some who have sent cease-and-desist letters or threatened suits - include Aerosmith, Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter, Phil Collins, Celine Dion, Olivia Rodrigo, John Fogerty (Creedence Clearwater Revival), Foo Fighters, Guns N' Roses, Elton John, Linkin Park, Panic! — Saman Shafiq, USA Today, 12 June 2026

Verb

Trump threatened on Thursday to use frozen Iranian funds to pay for any damage to ships. — Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 24 July 2026 Meanwhile, his major endorsements evaporated, and the Democratic Party threatened to revoke his access to money and voter data. — Jasper Craven, New Yorker, 24 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatened

Adjective

This is some of the last unspoiled land on the continent, habitat for many, many endangered and endemic species, but sadly it’s being killed by Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2026
But scientists said the rollback could have serious implications for endangered species.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 July 2026

Definition of endangered

Verb

He was menaced in the English countryside last month by a man shouting at him from 50 yards away, according to British outlet The Telegraph.

— Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 6 June 2026
The little people are being menaced by a dark force—a force with power, money, and very few moral inhibitions.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026

Definition of menaced

Adjective

The charges will make the accused liable to a prison sentence of between three months and four years and a fine if found guilty, Denmark's foreign ministry announced Friday.

— GRANT PECK, Arkansas Online, 17 July 2026
If your shop collects customer data online, cyber liability insurance could be a smart move to guard against cyber attacks, data breaches and other situations where you could be held liable for exposing information.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Definition of liable

Adjective

The European Union has banned AI that encourages dangerous behavior in vulnerable groups like children, and mandated transparency requirements for other chatbots.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Chiggers are soft bodied and are vulnerable to sharp microscopic material in diatomaceous earth.

— Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 22 July 2026

Definition of vulnerable

Adjective

Nearly 40% of Mount Pinos, lodgepole chipmunk, an imperiled subspecies of the lodgepole chipmunk, also live in roadless areas in California.

— Mariah Meek, The Conversation, 15 June 2026
There are many issues in the last year that show the commission needs a change at the top, including the Florida black bear hunt and the recent failure of the commissioners to fully, completely and finally stop the capture of wild imperiled and threatened marine life for exhibit.

— Joe Murphy, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 May 2026

Definition of imperiled

Adjective

After her trip to Japan that changed her business and focus, Ettenberg (who was then in Vietnam) decided to make a guide to Japan that listed all the safe ingredients and unsafe ones.

— Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Some repairs are too complicated or potentially unsafe to be handled by anyone other than a professional.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Definition of unsafe

Adjective

However, declining vaccination rates fueled by vaccine hesitancy have created pockets of susceptible individuals where the virus can spread quickly.

— Omer Awan, Forbes.com, 24 July 2026
The emotional discomfort is a result of feeling self-conscious about the appearance, and the physical is typically the result of excess tissue that's more susceptible to everyday irritation.

— Anonymous, Allure, 23 July 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

The appeal lies in watching urban Stockholm gradually give way to holiday homes, wooded islands and finally the more exposed landscape of the outer archipelago.

— David Nikel, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Daniel Bertoni, Argentina vs Netherlands, 1978 Two-goal Mario Kempes surges from deep, tries a one-two with Bertoni, only for the latter to get in the way, deny Kempes his hat-trick and score himself past an exposed Jongbloed.

— Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026

Definition of exposed

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“Threatened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatened. Accessed 27 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of threatened

adjective

verb

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