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

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 sheriff's office said when the victim attempted to retrieve his belongings, the suspect pulled out a knife and threatened him. — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 31 July 2026 Adam Pearce came out to keep the peace, but Gunther threatened him, too. — Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatened

Adjective

As explored in Monsters of God, pop culture often drives demand for exotic and endangered species.

— Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 29 July 2026
One reason for their endangered status is the loss of forests and other habitat, the organization says.

— Phil Helsel, NBC news, 28 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

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

Often, there is only capacity to check a sample of invoices; the rest are paid automatically, leaving the company vulnerable to over-spending and outright fraud.

— David Prosser, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
And neurons, being long-lived, are especially vulnerable to protein clumps, according to the new study’s co-lead author Rishav Mitra, a postdoctoral fellow in Bellono’s lab.

— Cody Cottier, Scientific American, 29 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

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

The burn scars have been most susceptible this summer with new fires created this season and old burn scars from years past.

— Dave Aguilera, CBS News, 31 July 2026
Papik also said fishing policies are being amended that would allow native species to reclaim some of their number, like growing mollusks that are less susceptible to the alien blue crab.

— ABC News, ABC News, 30 July 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

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

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Synonyms of threatened

adjective

verb

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