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

However, the work, done with Tanzanian government partners, helps track threatened species and monitor human activity that endangers the region’s wildlife, making the few cameras lost in the process all the more worth it. — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 2026 One thorny issue has been how to deal with threatened wastewater infrastructure on San Francisco’s coast, along Ocean Beach. — Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Verb

As Judy’s life’s work is threatened, audiences around the world are learning her name. — Rebekah Taussig, Time, 28 Oct. 2026 Students reported feeling threatened or afraid to be on campus. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatened

Adjective

The sites selected for the projects—one in Cook Inlet, Alaska, and one in the Gulf of Maine—are smack in the middle of two endangered whale populations’ habitats.

— Ryan Green, Scientific American, 26 Oct. 2026
Recently, Bezos’ Earth Fund committed $100 million to a new environmental alliance looking to save endangered species from extinction.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of endangered

Verb

While O’Brian challenged Fuentes, others have been menaced by his followers simply for trying to build public-facing careers as members of his movement, which has no apparent goals in electoral politics as a seismic midterm election cycle plays out.

— Nathan Taylor Pemberton, Vanity Fair, 29 Oct. 2026
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

Definition of menaced

Adjective

Just before this case was to finally go to trial, Snapchat agreed to settle the Maynards’ lawsuit, as the couple alleged the social media platform is liable for the serious injury crash.

— Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 1 Nov. 2026
The slight reproach to which the virtue of patriotism is commonly liable, the noble are most likely to incur.

— René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Oct. 2026

Definition of liable

Adjective

And party insiders blame Trump’s tariffs and war with Iran for creating a volatile Senate map that has left seats in red states like Nebraska and Kansas vulnerable.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 2 Nov. 2026
Linn County prosecutors did not file criminal charges, but the church would not allow Moore to work with children, youth and vulnerable adults.

— Jack Harvel, Kansas City Star, 2 Nov. 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

Checking plans before execution The team also developed a defense system called PROTEA, designed to identify unsafe actions before a robot carries them out.

— Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 21 Oct. 2026
The meat may have been stored in a refrigerator experiencing unsafe deviations in temperature.

— Eva Flowe October 21, Charlotte Observer, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of unsafe

Adjective

The end result would be a gassy surface shining as brightly as a more exposed black hole but with the Balmer break and smooth red hump of a 5,000-kelvin star, de Graaff and Naidu theorized.

— Quanta Magazine, Quanta Magazine, 14 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of exposed

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“Threatened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatened. Accessed 5 Nov. 2026.

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Synonyms of threatened

adjective

verb

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