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
Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
According to The Athletic, Donald received threatening emails from Anwar five years ago and has since sent him packages and gifts while stalking him and threatening the life of his 3-year-old son.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
However, the manager of the Small Faces, Marriott’s band at the time, allegedly made threatening noises about the move and everyone returned to their previous bands, although Beck left the Yardbirds shortly afterward.
—Jem Aswad, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025
According to The Athletic, Donald received threatening emails from Anwar five years ago and has since sent him packages and gifts while stalking him and threatening the life of his 3-year-old son.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Verb
Richard curses again, threatening Blum.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
Sheinbaum, who is sixty-two, had been in office almost four months, and for much of that time public discourse had been consumed by Trump’s impending return to power.—
Stephania Taladrid,
New Yorker,
21 Apr. 2025
-
The chemistry between Davido and Victoria Monét is heavy, the beat is breezy, and the vibes are all about mutual love, respect, and attraction—a perfect track for the impending warm weather.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
21 Apr. 2025
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,
30 Apr. 2025
-
But despite some ominous signs, a close look at the data shows that travel to the United States is largely holding up — at least so far.—
Josh Holder,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Reading back over her sister’s occasionally gossipy letters, maybe Cassie thought those qualities were just too dangerous to reveal publicly.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
30 Apr. 2025
-
The album calls out what Young sees as dangerous overreach by corporate interests into food systems and public health.—
Heather Hunter,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Or, more likely, The Sentry is simply the benevolent mirror image of that shadowy, sinister entity that emerges after Bob Reynolds ingests a super serum.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
22 Apr. 2025
-
However, what was happening behind the scenes was more sinister than what the public thought.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
And like the previous trials, the intense tests served an important purpose—in this case, making sure the shields coating LIFE habitat modules will withstand any hazardous micrometeoroid and orbital debris (MMOD) impacts.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
24 Apr. 2025
-
Allowed to crumble into disrepair by its owners, the Meruelo family, the famous hotel was ordered demolished by the city as a hazardous structure.—
Andres Viglucci,
Miami Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Officers are rarely — if ever — punished for hitting or endangering bystanders.—
Shelby Grad,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
-
Still others chase a motorbike onto the sidewalk, endangering nearby pedestrians.—
Eric Umansky,
ProPublica,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
DraftKings Promo Code for NBA Playoffs, MLB Games The outcome of your initial wager doesn't matter, so try placing a bet as soon as possible to redeem the bonus.—
Tyler Everett,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Apr. 2025
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My Maryland street is proof of that and offers a call for states and the rest of the world to carry on the fight for climate solutions as fast as possible.—
Mike Tidwell,
Baltimore Sun,
23 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
23 Apr. 2025
-
With its stout bastions and menacing defense towers, Kaunas Castle is the epitome of a medieval citadel.—
Joe Yogerst,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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