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
Matt Peterson, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Since the start of the conflict, Iran has threatened to hit ships that travel without its permission through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that normally carries around one-fifth of the world's oil.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Boisvert said the teen’s injury was not considered life-threatening.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Many states may have no choice but to reduce or eliminate benefits, threatening support for millions of Americans.
—Claudia Strauss, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Verb
Every day that Iran is willing and able to threaten shipping in the strait puts the world closer to serious economic damage.
—Matt Peterson, CNBC, 28 Mar. 2026
Since the start of the conflict, Iran has threatened to hit ships that travel without its permission through the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula that normally carries around one-fifth of the world's oil.
—Joe Walsh, CBS News, 28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
Two Port Authority employees traveling in the fire truck also suffered injuries, but they were not believed to be life-threatening.
—Philip Marcelo, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Boisvert said the teen’s injury was not considered life-threatening.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 23 Mar. 2026
Verb
The president is threatening military action in Cuba that should never be undertaken.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 25 Mar. 2026
Many states may have no choice but to reduce or eliminate benefits, threatening support for millions of Americans.
—Claudia Strauss, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threaten
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten
Adjective
-
And its impending move is likely to increase the organization’s capital costs and expenses.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
29 Mar. 2026
-
Hard contact yielded minimal results but hope for an impending breakthrough.—
Matt Kawahara,
Houston Chronicle,
29 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Those citing such ominous scenarios envisioned other possible dangers, including the debilitation of America’s security guarantees to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf oil exporters.—
Paul Blustein,
Fortune,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Certain signs, such as the recent decree by the municipal authorities of Damascus confining the sale of alcohol to Christian neighborhoods, are ominous.—
Alvaro Vargas Llosa,
Oc Register,
26 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Community members and city leaders say the combination of narrow streets, heavy foot traffic and frequent parking maneuvers can create dangerous conditions.—
Kenny Choi,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Assault with a dangerous weapon on a person 60 or older.—
Colleen Cronin,
Boston Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
White noise swirls like smoke and Kenyan guest vocalist Lord Spikeheart’s sinister laughter punctuates the murk.—
Philip Sherburne,
Pitchfork,
25 Mar. 2026
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As labor complications ensue, a blizzard rages outside trapping the family in their home – sitting ducks for whatever sinister presence might be in there with them.—
William Earl,
Variety,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
The permit exempts SpaceX from having to follow some regulations pertaining to the packaging and labeling of hazardous materials, specifically, the lithium ion batteries that are installed on Starship parts.—
Brandon Lingle,
San Antonio Express-News,
25 Mar. 2026
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Far more hazardous weapons have been made, used, and disposed of in the past.—
Christopher McFadden,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Be sure to cover your head and neck with your arms, and crawl under a sturdy table if possible.—
CA Earthquake Bot,
Sacbee.com,
25 Mar. 2026
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On Tuesday, there were some indications from Washington on a possible de-escalation in the Mideast conflict.—
Dylan Butts,
CNBC,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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At least there’s a hot new young Professor Snape, played by Paapa Essiedu, looking absolutely as menacing as an adaptation of the first book requires.—
Rebecca Alter,
Vulture,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Feds investigate pizza doxxings of judges An influx of menacing pizza deliveries to unsuspecting judges has prompted a federal investigation, The Gavel has learned.—
Ella Lee,
The Hill,
25 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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And in a place like University City, that has historically made ambitious independent restaurants the riskier bet.—
Théoden Janes,
Charlotte Observer,
24 Mar. 2026
-
Scaling up from a small model to a full-sized quadrotor biplane is much riskier, so the team is building an exact digital replica first.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
24 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threaten.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threaten. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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