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
Paula Wethington, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Squamous cell carcinoma is the overgrowth of cells on the epidermis, the top layer of skin, and is typically not life-threatening.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Helldivers 2‘s story centers around an elite unit of soldiers — known as Helldivers — who must battle alien creatures threatening to destroy the fictional planet of Super Earth.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
Warren firefighter-paramedics took the man to Detroit Receiving Hospital for treatment of his injuries, which are believed to be non-life-threatening.
—Paula Wethington, CBS News, 17 Feb. 2026
Squamous cell carcinoma is the overgrowth of cells on the epidermis, the top layer of skin, and is typically not life-threatening.
—Uwa Ede-Osifo, Dallas Morning News, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
Scientists call this adaptive concealment, the nervous system’s attempt to stay safe in threatening environments.
—Rabbi Bruce D. Forman, Sun Sentinel, 17 Feb. 2026
Helldivers 2‘s story centers around an elite unit of soldiers — known as Helldivers — who must battle alien creatures threatening to destroy the fictional planet of Super Earth.
—Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
McMillian is going to command top-scale money, if not in the form of an extension this offseason, then a year from now as an impending unrestricted free agent.—
Parker Gabriel,
Denver Post,
15 Feb. 2026
-
If the acknowledgement from those in attendance wasn’t enough, Bubic punctuated his impending return — from a left rotator cuff strain — with a simple nod and wry smile.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
The image finds the actors during an ominous twilight hour somewhere in coastal Taiwan.—
Patrick Brzeski,
HollywoodReporter,
15 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As Son combined with Denis Bouanga – MLS’ most dangerous attacker three years running – the club counted 19 of its last 22 regular-season goals (plus four of six in the postseason) thanks to them.—
Josh Gross,
Daily News,
17 Feb. 2026
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Ten manufacturers of ultraprocessed foods are also facing a lawsuit, filed in December by San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, that alleges companies knowingly engineered and marketed addictive, dangerous products while hiding the risks and causing a public health crisis.—
Sarah Koch,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The Chinese, too, are absolutely shocked that a great power is menacing a small neighbor and inflicting regime change by military force.—
Tom Nichols,
The Atlantic,
3 Jan. 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
-
The Redfellow wealth is old money — which in the age of the Epstein files is starting to acquire a more sinister aura than ever.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
18 Feb. 2026
-
Often lush, but occasionally sinister, this is a France of rustic auberges rather than refined arrondissements.—
Rob Crossan,
Condé Nast Traveler,
16 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Inspectors found shortcomings such as employing unqualified instructors, failing to test students’ skills or teach them how to handle hazardous materials and using the wrong equipment to teach drivers.—
Josh Funk,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
An image of public entities failing to comply with the law about lead paint, hazardous trash collection, or other public hazards.—
Emily Galvin Almanza,
Literary Hub,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
What was Koch thinking, endangering children like this?—
Bill Donahue,
Outside,
14 Feb. 2026
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At the same time, any proposals moving through the Legislature cannot come at the expense of endangering essential services that keep our city clean, safe, and functioning.—
Andrea Keiser,
Sun Sentinel,
13 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Forecasters are calling for feet of accumulation in the Sierra Nevada, with more than 30 inches possible near Donner Pass by today.—
James Ward,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
-
When stopping by the roadside is your only option, position your vehicle as far off the road as possible, ideally beyond guardrails.—
Southern California Weather Report,
Daily News,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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