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
David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
At least 90 people have died and rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors as more heavy rain threatens additional flooding in Texas this week.
—George Petras, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
In celebration of half a century of fear instilled into society’s collective consciousness, here’s a look at some hopefully less threatening sharks.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Verb
Ashe imagined a hypothetical scenario in which the school’s security force became like Haiti’s notorious secret police, the Tonton Macoute, whose officers not only threatened newspaper reporters, but also assaulted, extorted and tortured innocent citizens.
—David McGrath, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2025
At least 90 people have died and rescue workers are continuing to search for survivors as more heavy rain threatens additional flooding in Texas this week.
—George Petras, USA Today, 8 July 2025
Adjective
People with immediate, non-life threatening needs should call (502) 607-6665 or complete the Rapid Needs Assessment Form online.
—Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
In celebration of half a century of fear instilled into society’s collective consciousness, here’s a look at some hopefully less threatening sharks.
—Tracy Scott Forson, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025
Verb
Richard curses again, threatening Blum.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Adjective
-
The impending invasion of Victoria (Bryce Dallas Howard) and her army of newborn vampires inspires an unlikely alliance between the Cullen coven and Jacob's Quileute pack, setting the stage for some kickass action sequences.—
Edward Segarra,
USA Today,
1 July 2025
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And with the impending great wealth transfer, in which women in particular are expected to inherit trillions upon trillions of dollars, that could have profound effects on charitable giving throughout the country in the near future.—
Ben Weiss,
Fortune,
30 June 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
11 July 2025
-
The signs in Iran are ominous—and the pleas from Iranian Jewish elders may now go unheard.—
Roya Hakakian,
The Atlantic,
10 July 2025
Adjective
-
While air temperatures on Friday were forecasted in the 70s, water temperatures in the region remained in the dangerous mid-50s range.—
Anna Skinner,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 July 2025
-
Don’t forget the sunscreen Looking toward the rest of that sun protection, a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 will often be sufficient to protect your skin from dangerous UV radiation.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Before long, his life is plagued by a series of mysterious, sinister incidents that threaten to upend his success and bring about a most violent demise.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
1 July 2025
-
He’s then forced to compete in a sinister game of hide-and-seek, where even more players are eliminated.—
Monica Mercuri,
Forbes.com,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
By taking on hazardous or monotonous jobs, AEON allows human workers to focus on higher-value activities, helping companies remain competitive in a rapidly evolving landscape.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
5 July 2025
-
Remain in port, seek safe harbor, alter course, and/or secure the vessel for hazardous conditions.—
Adeola Adeosun,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 July 2025
Adjective
-
The operator lands their FPV by the side of a track or on a rooftop and waits for possible targets, alerted either by a spotter drone or using the drone’s own camera.—
David Hambling,
Forbes.com,
2 July 2025
-
One such rumor: a possible acquisition of Perplexity, the AI-native search engine.—
Jim Edwards,
Fortune,
1 July 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
1 July 2025
-
The real version of Dave is equal parts pitiful and menacing, seductive and unable to fully pass himself as a normal person.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
28 June 2025
Adjective
-
Voyager is a risky but fruitful investment into a huge growth market, according to many analysts, who are counting on the company’s Starlab commercial space station as the ultimate upside opportunity for the firm.—
Pia Singh,
CNBC,
7 July 2025
-
Much of this inventory is now sitting idle on the market, as buyers steer away from a likely risky investment.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 16 Jul. 2025.
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