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
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 threatening
Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Most infections do not become life-threatening, but persistent or worsening symptoms deserve attention.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Gomez Ochoa’s criminal record includes a January conviction in Anoka County for threatening to kill his mother at her Fridley home in June 2023.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
The danger is from bacterial contamination that can cause severe diarrhea, which when untreated can be life-threatening.
—Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026
Most infections do not become life-threatening, but persistent or worsening symptoms deserve attention.
—Dr. Jamin Brahmbhatt, CNN Money, 24 May 2026
Verb
Nobody knows better how special opportunities like this are than Landeskog, who spent three full seasons working his way back from career-threatening injuries and multiple surgeries to get here.
—Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 27 May 2026
Gomez Ochoa’s criminal record includes a January conviction in Anoka County for threatening to kill his mother at her Fridley home in June 2023.
—Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
Archer is scaling for the mega sporting event and attempting to build an operational hub for the area's impending air taxi network.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
-
With multiple lawsuits and an impending Supreme Court ruling poised to shape TPS nationwide, advocates hail the Lebanese extension but warn that hundreds of thousands still lack a permanent solution.—
Gisela Salomon,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
STAR-TELEGRAM WEATHER BOT,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 May 2026
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
24 May 2026
Adjective
-
Understanding these unexpected auroras could improve forecasts of dangerous space weather, which can disrupt satellites, GPS systems, communications and even power grids during extreme solar storms.—
Samantha Mathewson,
Space.com,
26 May 2026
-
Still, since the man had fled, these officials emphasized the necessity of executing her, even as the whole episode whispered even to them of the dangerous vulnerabilities of their colonial situation.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
26 May 2026
Verb
-
Santiago was charged with menacing a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
-
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
Adjective
-
As the game progresses, Mina slowly becomes aware of some negative side effects from these generators and the sinister actions being taken to cover up those effects.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
27 May 2026
-
The sordid tale of the Murdaughs unfolded in the public eye during a boom in true crime media, when actual instances of death and deception could hardly keep up with the demand for packaging and repackaging sinister stories of shocking human behavior.—
Andrea Marks,
Rolling Stone,
25 May 2026
Adjective
-
Essential safety tips for heavy rain When heavy rain sets in, the risk of flooding and hazardous driving conditions rises.—
Bay Area Weather Report,
Mercury News,
27 May 2026
-
All evacuation orders stemming from a hazardous materials incident at a Southern California aerospace facility were lifted Tuesday night, allowing thousands of residents to return home.—
Michael Sinkewicz,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
All were arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct along with either endangering another person or obstruction of justice, state police said.—
Gloria Pazmino,
CNN Money,
30 May 2026
-
The New Jersey State Police said in a statement that one of those faced a charge of disorderly conduct and endangering another person and the other five were charged with disorderly conduct and obstruction of justice.—
Daniella Silva,
NBC news,
30 May 2026
Adjective
-
Historically, the community in Putumayo has been concerned about possible links between paramilitary groups and others connected to oil companies.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
27 May 2026
-
All ingredients are local and sourced from no further than 13 miles from the hotel, and are organic where possible.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
