1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
economists warning of a threatening recession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in ominous
being or showing a sign of evil or calamity to come
a threatening silence followed the loud thump in the adjoining motel room
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in menacing
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of threatening
Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Boisvert said the teen’s injury was not considered life-threatening.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Many states may have no choice but to reduce or eliminate benefits, threatening support for millions of Americans.
—Claudia Strauss, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
Two Port Authority employees traveling in the fire truck also suffered injuries, but they were not believed to be life-threatening.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Boisvert said the teen’s injury was not considered life-threatening.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
The president is threatening military action in Cuba that should never be undertaken.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Many states may have no choice but to reduce or eliminate benefits, threatening support for millions of Americans.
—Claudia Strauss, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
Long airport security lines, an impending recess, and Monday’s confirmation of Markwayne Mullin as Homeland Security secretary are driving urgent Senate talks to reopen the department.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
23 Mar. 2026
-
That flashback thread unfolds against the twilight of British colonial rule, as the impending disbanding of the Royal Hong Kong Police Force’s Special Branch collides with the kidnapping of a prominent business tycoon, triggering a dangerous internal power struggle.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
20 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The sheer scale, bustle and energy reflected the depth of the industry, even as the ominous rumblings of global trade continued in the background.—
Mayu Saini,
Sourcing Journal,
20 Mar. 2026
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Dune’s author didn’t necessarily intend the Butlerian Jihad to be an ominous warning.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
19 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Interestingly, this new Wi-Fi chip could finally enable the wireless control needed to make these dangerous cleanups faster and safer.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
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The chief medical officer for Huntington Beach Fire said the Southern Pacific rattlesnake found locally can produce a highly dangerous neurotoxic venom.—
Michele Gile,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Some argue that the only way to stop Iran from menacing the region and its people is to crush this regime.—
Dennis Ross,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
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As the two catch up, Crudup veers from good-natured to sorrowful to bitter to menacing in a matter of minutes.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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White noise swirls like smoke and Kenyan guest vocalist Lord Spikeheart’s sinister laughter punctuates the murk.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
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As labor complications ensue, a blizzard rages outside trapping the family in their home – sitting ducks for whatever sinister presence might be in there with them.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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The permit exempts SpaceX from having to follow some regulations pertaining to the packaging and labeling of hazardous materials, specifically, the lithium ion batteries that are installed on Starship parts.—
Brandon Lingle,
San Antonio Express-News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Far more hazardous weapons have been made, used, and disposed of in the past.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
In the ancient kingship tradition, endangering the empire would cause a king to lose his farr.—
Azadeh Moaveni,
New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2026
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Kendra Duggar is facing four counts each of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and second-degree false imprisonment, according to the Tontitow Police Department in Arkansas.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
21 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
-
On Tuesday, there were some indications from Washington on a possible de-escalation in the Mideast conflict.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 30 Mar. 2026.
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