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
Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Moore was arrested hours after his firing for allegedly barging into the woman's home and threatening to harm himself.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Both victims’ injuries were believed to be non-life-threatening.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Attorneys for Perry countersued, saying Aumann never had an ownership stake, was not an employee and misrepresented and defrauded Perry and Crawford — at times threatening physical violence.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Verb
Low snowpack in the Colorado River headwaters threatens hydropower production at Glen Canyon Dam, where water levels continue to drop.
—Brandon Loomis, AZCentral.com, 28 Feb. 2026
Moore was arrested hours after his firing for allegedly barging into the woman's home and threatening to harm himself.
—Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
Those feelings are valid, but failing to overcome them can be life-threatening.
—Literary Hub, 2 Mar. 2026
Both victims’ injuries were believed to be non-life-threatening.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 2 Mar. 2026
Verb
Following the vote to disband the public, Fayette County Mike Aubele sent a letter threatening violations of the Sunshine Act.
—Jennifer Borrasso, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
Attorneys for Perry countersued, saying Aumann never had an ownership stake, was not an employee and misrepresented and defrauded Perry and Crawford — at times threatening physical violence.
—Paul Flahive, Austin American Statesman, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Adjective
-
Because of this atmospheric trick, for many localities, there will be an unusual chance to observe a selenelion firsthand with this impending shadowy event.—
Joe Rao,
Space.com,
28 Feb. 2026
-
Since the news of Funston's impending release, law enforcement officials and prosecutors in Sacramento County have strongly opposed that decision.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
27 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The Christian Bible and biblical texts also reference red or bloody moons in ominous tones.—
Alan Bradley,
Space.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The pizza deliveries in Daniel's name sent an ominous message, according to Salas.—
Bill Whitaker,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Standard sensors like cameras and lidar often fail in heavy rain, thick fog, or low light, creating dangerous blind spots.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
3 Mar. 2026
-
But, even a light glaze can be highly dangerous when driving.—
Cutter Martin,
CBS News,
2 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
And are at this moment again pursuing their sinister ambitions.—
February 25,
NPR,
25 Feb. 2026
-
The story takes on an even more sinister air when Jennifer and Fernando reunite in Mexico.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
25 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
The emergency declaration was first signed by county administrator and director of emergency services Kevin Mallen in response to hazardous materials and debris entering the Yuba River.—
Chaewon Chung,
Sacbee.com,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Boating conditions are poor to hazardous but are expected to improve through the day.—
Garfield Hylton,
The Orlando Sentinel,
24 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Prosecutor Edward Robert Campbell told the state television program on Friday the accused faced a host of possible charges including crimes associated with terrorist acts.—
Reuters 9 hr ago,
CNN Money,
4 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
James was also arraigned on harassment and menacing charges, accused of threatening an ex-girlfriend with a knife in a separate incident.—
Colin Mixson,
New York Daily News,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Its menacing activities directly endanger the United States, our troops, our bases overseas, and our allies throughout the world.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
What enables someone to engage in this type of physically risky – even life-threatening – behavior?—
Catherine A. Sanderson,
The Conversation,
3 Mar. 2026
-
Stock market volatility now makes traditional investing risky and unpredictable.—
Matt Richardson,
CBS News,
3 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 4 Mar. 2026.
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