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
Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Consuming the contents of jars could be life-threatening, HiPP said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
Nichols is charged with one count each of felony assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, threatening crime with intent to terrorize and vandalism, according to court documents.
—Dalila Muata, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
In two separate encounters on Monday, the Israeli air force struck and killed Hezbollah militants that the military said approached its troops in a threatening way.
—Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Consuming the contents of jars could be life-threatening, HiPP said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
Days later, agents arrested a man charged with threatening a mass shooting at an Ohio mosque.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
Nichols is charged with one count each of felony assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, threatening crime with intent to terrorize and vandalism, according to court documents.
—Dalila Muata, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
The relationship set the tone for what was to come over the impending months — from that spark to culminating the deal in the last few weeks.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
By the time Cale Makar picked up the puck on the offensive line, exploiting Taylor Ward in a mismatched one-on-one before sniping short side past Anton Forsberg, the impending sweep was clear.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
-
With the game tied and things looking ominous for the Galaxy, Elijah Wynder was held on a cross into the box.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The procedures noted that in some cases, outing students to parents could be dangerous to their health and well-being, and school officials should ask the students for consent to notify their parents of the support plan.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The world is more dangerous for leaders, across multiple dimensions.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 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
-
Chesnutt wasn’t alone in these sometimes sinister tones.—
David Harris,
SPIN,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But then that progressive veneer is implicated in something deeply sinister.—
Brittany Delay,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The process generates minimal hazardous waste, and the solvent can be reused, reducing both environmental impact and operating costs.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The company’s new Soko Shadow dye technique gives garments unique, multi-tone depth while eliminating the discharge of hazardous chemicals.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kropp was charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, while Cherry was charged with obstructing justice, arrest records show.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
-
British authorities arrested a man from Sudan last week on suspicion of endangering life in that case.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Plan ahead as much as possible Nailing down all the angles of your trip ahead of time can save you both a lot of headaches and a significant amount of money.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The November 2024 ceasefire was the best possible alternative at the time — certainly better than more war.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
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