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
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Recent Examples of threatening
Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Officials in New Jersey have not indicated the source of Tuesday's threatening emails.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Anjali Bhargava, the owner of Anjali’s Cup, which sells chai concentrate and turmeric blends, said the current economic climate and tariffs are threatening her livelihood.
—Shawn Baldwin, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
The rest have non-life threatening injuries, spokesperson David McArthur said in an email to The Courier Journal.
—Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 5 Nov. 2025
Officials in New Jersey have not indicated the source of Tuesday's threatening emails.
—Lucien Bruggeman, ABC News, 4 Nov. 2025
Verb
In Isfahan, women have received threatening text messages for not wearing hijab.
—Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Anjali Bhargava, the owner of Anjali’s Cup, which sells chai concentrate and turmeric blends, said the current economic climate and tariffs are threatening her livelihood.
—Shawn Baldwin, CNBC, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
Jeff Bezos' company postpones New Glenn launch New Glenn was fueled up and vertical on the launch pad ahead of an impending launch before Blue Origin ultimately called it off about 90 minutes after the window opened.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Outside of the coach, his wife and his successor, Frank Solich, no one knew of Osborne’s impending retirement.—
The Athletic College Football Staff,
New York Times,
9 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
5 Nov. 2025
-
Trying to outrun the ominous presence, Eve will face the darkest parts of herself and uncover what she is made of.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
4 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Chicago is facing a dangerous lake-effect snow event early Monday morning.—
Briana Waxman,
CNN Money,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Two decades ago, when the NFL's base offense consisted of two backs with a blocking tight end and only two wide receivers, an elite cornerback could often take away half of the dangerous receiving options.—
Mike Sando,
New York Times,
10 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In the follow-up, the sinister killer seeks vengeance on Finn from beyond the grave by menacing his younger sister, Gwen, who is played by Madeleine McGraw.—
Pamela McClintock,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
But as old tensions flare between them, Katie begins to experience terrifying visions and a ghostly presence warning of something sinister lurking aboard.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Which casts a show seemingly designed to bypass all judgments with respect to storytelling and taste, gliding straight to the pleasure center of some imaginary horny, enraged, shopaholic feminine id, in a fairly sinister light.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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The result, Kahn says, is that parts of Earth’s orbital environment are rife with hazardous objects that can collide with vital space infrastructure.—
Humberto Basilio,
Scientific American,
7 Nov. 2025
-
All seven patients were cleared almost immediately and no hazardous materials turned up on base, Fox News is told.—
Jennifer Griffin , Christina Shaw,
FOXNews.com,
7 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
In addition to the murder charge, Thompson faces charges of committing a terroristic act, aggravated assault, engaging in violent criminal group activity and endangering the welfare of a minor, according to the jail roster.—
Rafael Escalera Montoto,
Arkansas Online,
9 Nov. 2025
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Some of them could cause severe damage to space stations and satellites, endangering the global space economy floating above us, which is currently valued at more than $600 billion.—
Humberto Basilio,
Scientific American,
7 Nov. 2025
Adjective
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If the court accepts the case, oral arguments could be scheduled for the spring, with a possible decision by June.—
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
Sustained, strong winds are possible.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 19 Nov. 2025.
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