threatening

adjective

threat·​en·​ing ˈthret-niŋ How to pronounce threatening (audio)
ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ
: expressing or suggesting a threat of harm, danger, etc.
received a threatening message
a threatening manner
: indicating or suggesting the approach of possible trouble or danger
saw threatening clouds on the horizon
threateningly
ˈthret-niŋ-lē How to pronounce threatening (audio)
ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ-
adverb
gestured threateningly

Examples of threatening in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web There is plenty to criticize in China’s record: its theft of technology, its suppression of workers’ rights and the press, its enormous expansion of coal power, its repression of Tibet and Hong Kong, its threatening behavior toward Taiwan, and its atrocious policies toward the Uyghur people. Bernie Sanders, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024 Surveillance footage shared with CBS News shows the brazenness of the work behind the gallows and noose, which have a history of racist and threatening overtones. Scott MacFarlane, CBS News, 18 Mar. 2024 Governor In the Independent Commission statement, it was reported that law enforcement officials said the state’s yellow flag law complicates the ability to remove guns from potentially threatening and dangerous gun owners. Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 16 Mar. 2024 According to the criminal complaint, a parent reported her son told her that a teacher had made threatening statements to students about guns and physically harming them. Alec Johnson, Journal Sentinel, 11 Mar. 2024 Here are the latest developments: James Crumbley was caught making threatening statements by phone and electronic messages while in custody, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to CNN on Friday. Nicki Brown, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024 The Wayne State University Police Department did not respond to immediate requests for comment regarding the number and nature of the threatening calls. Detroit Free Press, 25 Feb. 2024 Since the conference ended in early February, many women have taken to social media, detailing precarious and threatening situations they were forced to navigate in between the conference's speeches, vendor events, receptions and private parties. Bill Chappell, NPR, 4 Mar. 2024 But there’s another major obstacle–one that is invisible to the naked eye, yet lingers like a threatening cloud: stigma. Jennifer Lotito, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'threatening.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of threatening was in 1530

Dictionary Entries Near threatening

Cite this Entry

“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

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