threatened 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of threatenednext
as in endangered

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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
Firefighters battle forest fire in Germany All 1,800 residents of the village of Gey in western Germany were evacuated after a wildfire with shifting winds in the nearby Hürtgen forest threatened to reach their homes. — Angela Charlton, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026 And Netflix also seemingly acting like it’s being threatened by YouTube and competing for some of the same talent. — Max Tani, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatened
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatened
  1. endangered
  2. menaced
  3. liable
  4. vulnerable
  5. imperiled
  6. unsafe
  7. susceptible
  8. exposed
Adjective
  • The peregrine falcon, the world’s fastest bird once pushed to the brink of extinction in the United States, has recovered enough to be taken off the endangered species list.
    — AJ Willingham, AJC.com, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The other is a reference to the genre, presented as endangered and in need of saving.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 18 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
  • Sponsor is not liable for any travel cancelled or prizes forfeited due to a force majeure event (including without limitation, events related to the propagation of the COVID-19 virus).
    — August 16, NPR, 16 Aug. 2026
  • Other jurisdictions have also taken steps to hold parents liable.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of liable
Adjective
  • The composite score of cumulative impacts reflects communities in Chicago that are most burdened by pollution and most vulnerable to its effects.
    — Finnegan Belleau, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Damage to civilian infrastructure, including electricity, water and gas systems, could once again leave millions vulnerable during the harsh winter months, raising fears of a repeat of last winter’s severe conditions.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 19 Aug. 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 playing surface, with uncut grass and sprouting weeds, is uneven and unsafe.
    — Sam Blum, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Twelve of Philly's Delaware River testing sites exceeded unsafe bacteria levels on each day they were tested.
    — Joe Brandt, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of unsafe
Adjective
  • The two phantoms were designed to be adult females, since previous research found that breasts and ovaries are especially susceptible to radiation damage.
    — Charles Q. Choi, Space.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Without claim-level review capabilities, employers remain susceptible to inaccurate reimbursements regardless of efficiencies achieved through administrative processes.
    — Bruce Roffe, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
Definition of susceptible
Adjective
  • The fact that my life is so exposed is incredibly complex for me.
    — Julyssa Lopez, Rolling Stone, 7 Aug. 2026
  • What information the Paidwork leak reportedly exposed The exposed information appears to reach far beyond email addresses.
    — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of exposed

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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on threatened

Nglish: Translation of threatened for Spanish Speakers

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