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
Joe Marusak
march 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
All sustained non-life threatening injuries.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is unnerving the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices, threatening food shortages in poor countries, destabilizing fragile states and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
Glover’s front-seat passenger, Catherine Glover of Morganton, was hospitalized with non-life threatening injuries, Macchia said.
—Joe Marusak
march 16, Charlotte Observer, 16 Mar. 2026
All sustained non-life threatening injuries.
—Caelyn Pender, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026
Verb
Paul played a video of Mullin threatening to fight Sean O’Brien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, during a November 2023 hearing.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 18 Mar. 2026
The virtual shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz is unnerving the world economy, driving up energy and fertilizer prices, threatening food shortages in poor countries, destabilizing fragile states and complicating efforts by central banks to drive down prices for consumers.
—Arkansas Online, 17 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
Despite standing as an impending free agent and coming off his first All-Star appearance just a month ago, Powell expressed a desire to go with the flow.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Last spring, Antonio was cast as Conor in ‘A Monster Calls,’ portraying a young boy grappling with the impending loss of his mother to cancer.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Since Caesar's assassination, the Ides of March has been associated with other misfortune and doom, with several other ominous events taking place on March 15 throughout history.—
Kate Perez,
USA Today,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The private weather service AccuWeather calculated that more than 200 million people were under threat Monday of some kind of dangerous weather.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Prominent quartz slab makers acknowledge that processing produces dangerous dust, but claim risks are avoidable.—
Ethan Baron,
Mercury News,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
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
-
As the two catch up, Crudup veers from good-natured to sorrowful to bitter to menacing in a matter of minutes.—
Jenelle Riley,
Variety,
2 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
McTeigue created subtle variations on the mask so that V could look slightly more sinister or benevolent depending on the lighting.—
Matthew Huff,
IndieWire,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Iliopoulos demonstrates once again how the unwillingness of political authorities to respect an international treaty transforms both the native population and the newcomers into hostages of a sinister and clumsy social engineering project.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Take every precaution to never leave young children and pets alone in vehicles, especially in extreme heat when car interiors can quickly become hazardous.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
17 Mar. 2026
-
And while the area's temperatures are rather lovely year-round, the region's increasingly hazardous air pollution makes visits from February through March seriously uncomfortable.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Strangers could board and jump off the boats, endangering themselves, or vandalize the craft, the lawsuit says.—
Joe Marusak
March 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Mar. 2026
-
Cops arrested him on robbery, menacing and endangering the welfare of a child charges for the Tuesday hold up.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Supporters of the referendum have expressed excitement over the amenities that would come with the possible Frontier Sports Complex activity center while opponents have expressed concerns over a potential financial burden the referendum would impose.—
Carolyn Stein,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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