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
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Recent Examples of threaten
The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
Two major wildfires in southeastern Georgia continued to threaten homes and lives, with the Highway 82 Fire destroying at least 87 homes — the most in state wildfire history.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Consuming the contents of jars could be life-threatening, HiPP said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
Nichols is charged with one count each of felony assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, threatening crime with intent to terrorize and vandalism, according to court documents.
—Dalila Muata, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Verb
Though threatening, his rush could use more cohesive sequencing and better hand work to fully unlock its potential.
—The Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 25 Apr. 2026
Two major wildfires in southeastern Georgia continued to threaten homes and lives, with the Highway 82 Fire destroying at least 87 homes — the most in state wildfire history.
—Los Angeles Times, 25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
In two separate encounters on Monday, the Israeli air force struck and killed Hezbollah militants that the military said approached its troops in a threatening way.
—Aamer Madhani, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Consuming the contents of jars could be life-threatening, HiPP said.
—Reuters, NBC news, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
Days later, agents arrested a man charged with threatening a mass shooting at an Ohio mosque.
—Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 21 Apr. 2026
Nichols is charged with one count each of felony assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, threatening crime with intent to terrorize and vandalism, according to court documents.
—Dalila Muata, NBC news, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Adjective
-
The relationship set the tone for what was to come over the impending months — from that spark to culminating the deal in the last few weeks.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
By the time Cale Makar picked up the puck on the offensive line, exploiting Taylor Ward in a mismatched one-on-one before sniping short side past Anton Forsberg, the impending sweep was clear.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The biggest difference between Mythos and previous AI models was its ability to autonomously exploit vulnerabilities, an ominous new facet of the industry’s transition towards agentic models.—
Victor Tangermann,
Futurism,
16 Apr. 2026
-
The team of astronomers credited for Apophis' discovery – David Tholen, Fabrizio Bernardi and the late Roy Tucker – were also responsible for coming up with the asteroid's ominous name.—
Eric Lagatta,
USA Today,
16 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Police on Friday closed Kensington Gardens, a central London park visited by thousands of tourists and local residents every day, after a group that Israel has linked to Iran posted a video claiming Israel’s nearby London embassy was going to be attacked with drones carrying dangerous substances.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Portage police added that while some students play the game safely using brightly colored water guns, others have created dangerous situations that can trigger panic.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Chesnutt wasn’t alone in these sometimes sinister tones.—
David Harris,
SPIN,
21 Apr. 2026
-
But then that progressive veneer is implicated in something deeply sinister.—
Brittany Delay,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The process generates minimal hazardous waste, and the solvent can be reused, reducing both environmental impact and operating costs.—
Sujita Sinha,
Interesting Engineering,
22 Apr. 2026
-
The company’s new Soko Shadow dye technique gives garments unique, multi-tone depth while eliminating the discharge of hazardous chemicals.—
Angela Velasquez,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Plan ahead as much as possible Nailing down all the angles of your trip ahead of time can save you both a lot of headaches and a significant amount of money.—
Becca Stanek,
TheWeek,
21 Apr. 2026
-
The November 2024 ceasefire was the best possible alternative at the time — certainly better than more war.—
Daniel DePetris,
Chicago Tribune,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
Idaho lawmakers spent hours debating a surge in rodents menacing Boise-area gardens and kitchens and threatening agriculture and public health.—
Karin Brulliard,
Washington Post,
25 Apr. 2026
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
However, travel into Port-au-Prnce by air remains risky.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
21 Apr. 2026
-
Nobody wants to be the person who approved the risky idea that failed.—
Seth Yudof,
Rolling Stone,
21 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.
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