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

That lawsuit names coho salmon, spotted owls, as well as a threatened seabird, the marbled murrelet, which lives largely out at sea but returns to old-growth coastal trees to nest, as species threatened by the change. — Lizzie Kane, Sacbee.com, 31 July 2026 Grizzly bears are considered a threatened species in Alberta. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 26 July 2026

Verb

Trump threatened Oman last week over its ongoing negotiations with Iran on the future management of the Strait of Hormuz. — Kareem Chehayeb, Los Angeles Times, 27 Aug. 2026 Trump has threatened to also double tariffs on automobiles and auto parts from Canada from 25% to 50%. — Joey Garrison, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatened

Adjective

But because the system is a stronghold for the endangered Alabama cave shrimp, monitoring teams have explored the cave nearly every month since the early 1990s.

— Elizabeth Anne Brown, Scientific American, 2 Sep. 2026
The hotel prioritises local, environmentally conscious suppliers, composts organic waste, and avoids serving endangered seafood.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 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

In a landmark decision, a jury found Meta and YouTube liable for intentionally designing their systems to be addictive by using features such as infinite scroll, autoplay, and push notifications.

— Schuyler Moore, Forbes.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Enacting a solution is liable to be a significant political battle, likely involving cutting benefits for some Americans or raising taxes on higher earners, or both.

— Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of liable

Adjective

Brightly colored and casual beach attire is a no-fail way to get flagged as a vulnerable tourist while abroad.

— Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 2 Sep. 2026
Supply chains and raw materials are vulnerable to extreme weather, while unpredictable temperatures can affect when consumers want to buy and wear products.

— Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 2 Sep. 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

The North Lawn tenants had been involved in a yearslong dispute with multiple landlords over unsafe living conditions.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Well-loved and used items that are broken, damaged beyond repair, unsafe, or heavily stained or soiled should be thrown out.

— Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 29 Aug. 2026

Definition of unsafe

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 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of threatened

adjective

verb

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