THREATENED Synonyms: 43 Similar and Opposite Words

threatened 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of threatened

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

The plaintiffs stressed that the detention center had been put in a freshwater wetland near Everglades National Park, a pristine ecosystem inhabited by dozens of threatened or endangered species and not far from a Miccosukee village. — Eric Schlosser, The Atlantic, 4 June 2026 North Carolina’s beaches are a nesting ground for multiple species of threatened or endangered sea turtles, including loggerheads, greens, Kemp’s ridleys, leatherbacks and hawksbills, federal officials say. — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 1 June 2026

Verb

The storms and flooding this time threatened multiple counties close to the Mexico border and in the Hill Country near San Antonio. — Jesse Bedayn, Los Angeles Times, 16 July 2026 Trump had threatened to fire Powell, and his administration launched a criminal investigation into the then-Fed chair. — Justin Papp, CNBC, 16 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatened

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatened

Adjective

This is some of the last unspoiled land on the continent, habitat for many, many endangered and endemic species, but sadly it’s being killed by Silicon Valley and Wall Street.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 21 July 2026
But scientists said the rollback could have serious implications for endangered species.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 19 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

The charges will make the accused liable to a prison sentence of between three months and four years and a fine if found guilty, Denmark's foreign ministry announced Friday.

— GRANT PECK, Arkansas Online, 17 July 2026
If your shop collects customer data online, cyber liability insurance could be a smart move to guard against cyber attacks, data breaches and other situations where you could be held liable for exposing information.

— Liz Knueven, CNBC, 16 July 2026

Definition of liable

Adjective

The European Union has banned AI that encourages dangerous behavior in vulnerable groups like children, and mandated transparency requirements for other chatbots.

— Stephanie Yang, CNN Money, 23 July 2026
Chiggers are soft bodied and are vulnerable to sharp microscopic material in diatomaceous earth.

— Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 22 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

After her trip to Japan that changed her business and focus, Ettenberg (who was then in Vietnam) decided to make a guide to Japan that listed all the safe ingredients and unsafe ones.

— Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
Some repairs are too complicated or potentially unsafe to be handled by anyone other than a professional.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 20 July 2026

Definition of unsafe

Adjective

Each saw human nature as susceptible to corruption by base impulses and self-interest.

— Donovan Fifield, The Conversation, 16 July 2026
FODMAPs get fermented by colonic bacteria, producing gas and causing bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms in susceptible individuals.

— Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 15 July 2026

Definition of susceptible

Adjective

Daniel Bertoni, Argentina vs Netherlands, 1978 Two-goal Mario Kempes surges from deep, tries a one-two with Bertoni, only for the latter to get in the way, deny Kempes his hat-trick and score himself past an exposed Jongbloed.

— Adam Hurrey, New York Times, 17 July 2026
An inexpensive, heavy-duty net protects the exposed back sides.

— Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 17 July 2026

Definition of exposed

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“Threatened.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatened. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of threatened

adjective

verb

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