THREATENED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

threatened 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of threatened

as in endangered

Related Words

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Dissimilar Words

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

Expect instead that Lacey will be angry, threatened and furious. — Abigail Van Buren, Mercury News, 28 Aug. 2026 More than 660 structures remain threatened and authorities expanded evacuations orders and warnings. — Tim Fang, CBS News, 27 Aug. 2026

Verb

But the lawsuit threatened the ban on religious exemptions the legislature had passed. — Katy Golvala, Hartford Courant, 16 Sep. 2026 In a news release, Zahnd’s office said Johnson, who was employed by the Kansas City Police Department for about a decade until 2014, took the stand during the trial and testified in his own defense, saying that Barnett threatened his life. — Nathan Pilling, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatened

Adjective

The organizations' research also found that expanding deforestation linked to biomass production could impact undisturbed forests that serve as critical habitats for vulnerable and endangered species such as tarsiers, endemic buffalo and pigs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Sep. 2026
At the same time, the administration has moved to weaken federal protections for endangered fish and other species.

— Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 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

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

The plaintiffs, Priscilla Sterling, Raine Becker, Shawn Miller and John Bennett, alleged that the city knowingly allowed residents to drink unsafe water.

— Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 7 Sep. 2026
Zumthor’s discussion of creating inner security and safety for me immediately evokes for me the specter of its opposite, the unsafe spaces, the spaces of destruction, the homes flattened in Ukraine, Yemen, Lebanon and Gaza.

— Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of unsafe

Adjective

The 49ers don’t have a deep defensive tackle room and are susceptible against the run, but if the 49ers’ offense can force opponents into passing scripts, Morris’ defense has a chance to surprise.

— Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Those navigating the market without the requisite knowledge or information are susceptible to potential outlier losses.

— David Capablanca, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

Morgan Stanley said Equinix and Digital Realty are less exposed because their facilities average roughly 5 to 10 megawatts, far below the gigawatt-scale AI campuses planned by hyperscalers and neocloud operators.

— Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2026
The fact that my life is so exposed is incredibly complex for me.

— Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of exposed

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“Threatened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatened. Accessed 20 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of threatened

adjective

verb

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