threatening 1 of 2

adjective

ˈthret-niŋ How to pronounce threatening (audio)
Definition of threateningnext
1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence economists warning of a threatening recession

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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

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3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

threatening

2 of 2

verb

present participle of threaten
as in menacing
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline

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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
Adjective
Wouldn’t true stories would seem more threatening, to a power-mad book burner? — Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026 Paramedics transported the pedestrian to a hospital with injuries police believed to be life-threatening. — Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 3 Oct. 2026
Verb
Unfortunately, the same forces that defeated previous permitting reform packages — primarily left-wing interest groups — are threatening to smother this legislation. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2026 His far-right political allies, Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, were threatening to withdraw their support and topple the government if Netanyahu moved forward with the deal and ended the war. — Jeremy Diamond, CNN Money, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
  1. impending
  2. ominous
  3. dangerous
  4. menacing
  5. possible
  6. sinister
  7. hazardous
  8. endangering
Adjective
  • Aubrey Layne, Sentara’s chief administrative officer, said lower payment rates from government programs — and impending cuts to Medicaid — are forcing the hospital to play hardball with the insurers that are representing employers.
    — Bob Herman, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • The film is a satire about an impending climate change apocalypse that’s triggered by the drilling operations of oil tycoon Digger Rockwell, played by Cruise, who looks nearly unrecognizable clad in prosthetics and graying hair.
    — Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of impending
Adjective
  • The oceans’ vastness can feel ominous, and though scientists have studied what lurks beneath, so much remains unknown.
    — Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Hong Kong — Days before Hong Kong socialite Abby Choi was killed, her father-in-law and brother-in-law allegedly went on an ominous shopping spree.
    — Chris Lau, CNN Money, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of ominous
Adjective
  • Meanwhile, the financial clout of the industry has grown considerably, resulting in a new, more dangerous problem.
    — Kent Sepkowitz, STAT, 5 Oct. 2026
  • Attempting to de-escalate the scare, Rospotrebnadzor declared the regional sanitary situation stable after secondary testing showed no traces of dangerous pathogens linked to Shipilova’s research.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of dangerous
Verb
  • The midterm elections are looming and the first hurricane of the Atlantic Season is menacing the Gulf Coast.
    — Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Dennis Hopper won a Best Villain MTV Movie Award for menacing a bus in this film.
    — Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 20 Aug. 2026
Definition of menacing
Adjective
  • Another 1 to 3 inches of rain is possible through the rest of the weekend, with localized totals exceeding 5 inches, as showers shift toward the Northeast.
    — Erika Angulo, NBC news, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Cappu is using the market to meet distributors and other possible partners on the title, with available rights to be confirmed on a per-territory basis.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 11 Oct. 2026
Definition of possible
Adjective
  • Swift appears as a spectral figure trying to warn Johnson that, based on her own experience, her rich husband has more sinister intentions than his current bride imagines.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
  • And with its peaks and sharp angles, the home could morph from architectural wonder in the daylight to something more sinister in the shadows of the night.
    — Juliet Izon, Architectural Digest, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of sinister
Adjective
  • Ensure heat is working so tenants don’t need space heaters, which can be particularly hazardous in buildings with older electrical systems.
    — Lillian Bonsignore, New York Daily News, 4 Oct. 2026
  • The action comes as Livingston locals raised concerns about the film’s impact on local business — and notably the city’s sole food bank — as well as improper notification about hazardous stunts.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 4 Oct. 2026
Definition of hazardous
Verb
  • Court records show he's been charged with third-degree murder, strangulation, involuntary manslaughter and recklessly endangering another person.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Against that backdrop, pupils' complaints that education funding shortfalls are endangering their futures have found a sympathetic audience.
    — NICOLAS GARRIGA, Arkansas Online, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of endangering

Browse Nearby Words

threatened
threatening
threatens
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Cite this Entry

“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 11 Oct. 2026.

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