THREATENINGLY Synonyms: 202 Similar and Opposite Words

threaten 1 of 3

verb (1)

ˈthre-tᵊn

as in to endanger

to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline

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Relevance

threatening

2 of 3

adjective

ˈthret-niŋ

as in impending

giving signs of immediate occurrence economists warning of a threatening recession

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in dangerous

involving potential loss or injury threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

threatening

3 of 3

verb (2)

present participle of threaten

as in menacing

to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of threaten

Verb

The Yellow Jackets threatened early before the Gators seized control. —

Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 May 2026 Heavy rain started to fall in the sixth inning on Saturday, which threatened to send the game to a rain delay. —

Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2026

Adjective

Only centre-back William Saliba completed more passes than the 19-year-old, while he was involved in the most possession sequences, jumping from space to space in midfield and knitting together Arsenal’s most threatening passing moves. —

Ayo Akinwolere, New York Times, 10 May 2026 Mace and Oihane controlled the wings, stopping the Courage from ever truly threatening. —

Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 9 May 2026

Verb

Many family members also accused Kouri Richins of threatening and attacking them in the wake of the murder. —

N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 13 May 2026 Plus, with carbon pricing now covering 28 percent of global emissions, the industry faces growing exposure to a new layer of fiscal jeopardy, threatening the viability of traditional low-cost production models. —

Jasmin Malik Chua, Footwear News, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for threaten

Recent Examples of Synonyms for threaten

Verb

And then the second thing to consider is that because the 2026 midterm election is poised to be so Democratic, the Republicans might not want to stretch too far, out of fear that doing so would endanger some of their own seats.

— Isaac Chotiner, New Yorker, 15 May 2026
Of the freshwater turtles, five species are listed as endangered, threatened or of special concern in the state, according to Brian Kleinman of Riverside Reptiles Education Center in Enfield.

— Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 14 May 2026