as in to endanger
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
economists warning of a threatening recession
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of threaten
Essence, 31 Jan. 2026
When Farian refused, the duo threatened to reveal their secret; Farian then beat them to the punch, per the 2023 documentary Milli Vanilli.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Having paid its pound of flesh in the form of Paul Mescal’s Supporting Actor snub, Hamnet now looks a lot less threatening.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The sell-off comes amid recent nerves about AI eating into software companies’ business models and threatening market share.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Verb
Directed by Yelena Popovic, Omar Epps plays a former gang leader moving away from his past, while old alliances, rival crews and police pressure threaten to pull him back in.
—Essence, 31 Jan. 2026
When Farian refused, the duo threatened to reveal their secret; Farian then beat them to the punch, per the 2023 documentary Milli Vanilli.
—Emily Weaver, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
The Urban Coyote Research Project released an article detailing how to prevent conflict with coyotes, noting the importance of coexistence in non-threatening situations.
—Ashley MacKin Solomon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 Jan. 2026
Having paid its pound of flesh in the form of Paul Mescal’s Supporting Actor snub, Hamnet now looks a lot less threatening.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
Mohsin Akhtar drawing his Taser and threatening to fire it at Kee, hospital police sources said.
—Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 4 Feb. 2026
The sell-off comes amid recent nerves about AI eating into software companies’ business models and threatening market share.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 3 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Adjective
-
But the 13-6 run by Texas State to end the period was a sign of Georgia State’s impending collapse.—
Caleb Yum,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Union leaders argue that the school system’s impending financial crisis is a mirage created by overly cautious accounting assumptions.—
Howard Blume,
Los Angeles Times,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
One prospect is as ominous as that of a government capturing its universities for political purposes — a government encouraging antisemitism under the guise of opposing it.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
26 Jan. 2026
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But experts warn that the Iranian regime has learned an ominous lesson.—
Ilan Berman,
Forbes.com,
26 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
More than a billion phones are now ineligible for security updates at a time when the threat landscape has never been more dangerous.—
Zak Doffman,
Forbes.com,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The church opened its warming center over the weekend, anticipating the arrival of the winter storm and the dangerous drop in temperatures.—
Leondra Head,
CBS News,
27 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
One of them has fashioned a sinister balaclava out of his cap and neck gaiter.—
Jessica Winter,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
-
While the visual effect can be startling, there is nothing sinister at play.—
Ahmad Bajjey,
CBS News,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Remain out of the water to avoid hazardous surf and NEVER turn your back on the ocean.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Coming back from the dead can be hazardous to your health.—
Sydney Bucksbaum,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The obvious first step is to gather as much light as possible.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
4 Feb. 2026
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According to her mother, the group held onto her as long as possible, which gave rescuers time to respond.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
As the prisoners split between pacifistic resistance and violent revolt, the movie becomes a menacing study of oppressive coercion under capitalism.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
30 Jan. 2026
-
After her birthday celebration, his demeanor turns menacing.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Competing on a shredded ligament sounds risky for long-term knee health, but that’s not necessarily the case, Daniel Kaplan, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist at NYU Langone Health, tells SELF.—
Korin Miller,
SELF,
3 Feb. 2026
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Our reporting reveals that members and related officials have encouraged protesters to impede law enforcement; pushed civilians toward legally and physically risky confrontations; and helped mobilize a counterprotest that turned violent.—
Christina Buttons,
Washington Post,
3 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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