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
Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2025
Speaking to journalists Friday in Kyiv, Zelensky said the surge in oil prices threatens Ukraine’s position on the battlefield, especially because Western allies have not enforced effective price caps on Russian oil exports.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
These are combined into complex emotional models of potentially threatening circumstances.
—ArsTechnica, 21 May 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
The possibility of nuclear war threatens the survival of humanity.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 14 June 2025
Speaking to journalists Friday in Kyiv, Zelensky said the surge in oil prices threatens Ukraine’s position on the battlefield, especially because Western allies have not enforced effective price caps on Russian oil exports.
—Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
Adjective
The risks and costs of this crisis are a thousand times more threatening to our country than COVID-19.
—Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 May 2025
These are combined into complex emotional models of potentially threatening circumstances.
—ArsTechnica, 21 May 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
-
Some Republicans still hope for a detente between the two men, although that seemed unlikely on Friday as Trump brushed off the idea of an impending makeup call.—
Naomi Lim,
The Washington Examiner,
8 June 2025
-
Tiny microphones were installed in the Titan to amplify the sounds of those fibers snapping under extreme pressure, to warn crew of impending danger.—
Dennis Harvey,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
6 June 2025
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Punched in the face That could explain the chain saw-wielding, the jumping up and down onstage, the manic baby-making and crusading for more spreading of sperm by smart people and the ominous Nazi-style salutes.—
Maureen Dowd,
Mercury News,
4 June 2025
Adjective
-
At times, the Algerian even operated as a wide forward as O’Neil grappled with a forward injury crisis and identified Ait-Nouri as his most dangerous attacking threat.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 June 2025
-
Of all the things at risk, the loss of an objective reality is perhaps the most dangerous.—
Sammy Roth,
Los Angeles Times,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
Mitchell returned to the family’s Salt Lake City home months later with sinister intentions.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
8 June 2025
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Picking from hundreds of hours of original, low-budget TV ads, Glassman tells the sinister tale of two restaurants battling it out in the town of Westridge County.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
5 June 2025
Adjective
-
What To Know There are currently no major wildfires reported in the areas, but officials warned that hazardous conditions could rapidly change this status.—
Hannah Parry,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 June 2025
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The attempts to reach the group were not successful because of the hazardous conditions, so a boat was deployed to rescue the group, troopers said.—
Paloma Chavez,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Dutch’s mission is rooted in making that bond possible—for more people—by providing affordable, ongoing access to care.—
Sindhya Valloppillil,
Forbes.com,
10 June 2025
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Record high temperatures are possible on Monday in Oregon, including the cities of Portland, Eugene and Medford.—
Kenton Gewecke,
ABC News,
9 June 2025
Adjective
-
If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
8 June 2025
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Make that the second scariest, as Claire’s antics bring another menacing character into their lives, when her dealer, Jackie (Domhnall Gleeson), shows up at Echo Valley looking for 10 grand in heroin.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
7 June 2025
Adjective
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Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and military officials must know that attacking U.S. targets would be very risky and would lead to a significant response that would likely be even more damaging than Israel’s latest attacks – including putting a potential deal over its nuclear program at risk.—
Javed Ali,
The Conversation,
13 June 2025
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In a way, staying close to the game is the safest route, even if the story itself is more risky.—
James Hibberd,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 18 Jun. 2025.
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