threatened

adjective

threat·​ened ˈthre-tᵊnd How to pronounce threatened (audio)
Synonyms of threatenednext
: having an uncertain chance of continued survival
a threatened species
specifically : likely to become an endangered species

Examples of threatened in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
There’s no reason for any American to feel threatened traveling throughout the United States. Talia Soglin, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026 Had action been deferred, Iran’s rapidly increasing ballistic missile would have soon reached the point of immunity — erecting a shield of threatened destruction behind which the mullah’s nuclear program could be rebuilt. Chuck Devore, Twin Cities, 22 Mar. 2026 Powell said the threatened indictment was related to his testimony before the Senate in June about the renovation of Federal Reserve office buildings. Gary Grumbach, NBC news, 13 Mar. 2026 The suspect resisted and threatened officers, who made the arrest and booked him into the main jail. Anne Gelhaus, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for threatened

Word History

First Known Use

1960, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of threatened was in 1960

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Threatened.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatened. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.

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