THREATENED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

threatened 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of threatened

as in endangered

Related Words

Relevance

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

Such detailed understanding is vital for conserving threatened elasmobranchs and their habitats. — Melissa Cristina Márquez, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026 The trees are considered vital for the future health of the forest and the survival of many rare and threatened species. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 6 July 2026

Verb

The deal has been greenlit by UK authorities after culture secretary Lisa Nandy initially threatened to intervene. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 7 Aug. 2026 This is the result of a campaign to discredit RCV with misinformation by politicians threatened by it. — Paul Haughey, Mercury News, 7 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatened

Adjective

Since amphibians remain near water sources and don’t venture far from home, these fossils provide a glimpse into the prehistoric climate of Los Angeles and could help researchers protect endangered amphibians today, Cruz said.

— Taylor Nicioli, CNN Money, 5 Aug. 2026
Bezos, through the Bezos Earth Fund, is reportedly committing $100 million to the Phoenix Species Project, an initiative dedicated to recovering endangered species.

— Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 5 Aug. 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

Those allegations were rejected in courts across several jurisdictions, and in January 2024 a New York jury found Sotheby’s wasn’t liable for allegedly aiding the scheme.

— Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 31 July 2026
Violators would be liable for fines up to $2,500 for each child for unintentional violations and up to $7,500 per child for intentional violations.

— Ben Szalinski, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of liable

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

Her doctor advised her to stop clinical hyperpigmentation treatments for her dark spots and uneven skin tone as some ingredients could be unsafe to use while trying to conceive or during pregnancy.

— Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 4 Aug. 2026
That authority is normally used to remove unsafe products from the market, not fast-track them.

— Will Stone, NPR, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsafe

Adjective

Those with preexisting conditions are most susceptible to serious illness from Vibrio vulnificus, the Louisiana Health Department said.

— Faris Tanyos, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026
Although the precise mechanisms remain incompletely understood, evidence indicates that exposure to components of tick saliva stimulates the production of IgE antibodies against alpha-gal in susceptible individuals.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 5 Aug. 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

Some exposed Artifacts also contained software code and employee work notes.

— Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026
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

Definition of exposed

Browse Nearby Words

threaten

threatened

threatening

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Threatened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatened. Accessed 8 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of threatened

adjective

verb

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster on threatened

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nurture

Popular in Grammar & Usage

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?

Popular

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

Games & Quizzes