threatened

1 of 2

adjective

threat·​ened ˈthre-tᵊnd 

: having an uncertain chance of continued survival

a threatened species

specifically : likely to become an endangered species

threatened

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of threaten

Examples of threatened in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Diamondback terrapins are officially listed as a threatened species under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA). — Desiree Anello, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2026

Celebración de los Árboles Lisle, Illinois At The Morton Arboretum, Celebración de los Árboles (September 26-27) sheds light on the arboretum’s conservation work to protect threatened trees and ecosystems in Latin America. — Ashlyn Ware, Midwest Living, 15 Sep. 2026

Tucson, Arizona, Santa Fe, New Mexico and Cedar City, Utah are among the cities in threatened zones. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

Now, the plaintiffs don’t even have to fret about threatened status. — Ted Williams, Denver Post, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1960, in the meaning defined above