threatening

adjective

threat·​en·​ing ˈthret-niŋ 

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

ˈthre-tᵊn-iŋ- 

adverb

gestured threateningly

Synonyms

• impending
• looming
• possible

Examples of threatening in a Sentence

economists warning of a threatening recession

a threatening silence followed the loud thump in the adjoining motel room

threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting

Recent Examples on the Web

But in the second half, Sporting KC was more threatening and got two goals back thanks to penalty kicks from Dejan Joveljic and Santiago Muñoz. —Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 13 July 2025

And that turned Guatemala’s 80th-minute goal into a massively threatening moment. —Paul Tenorio, New York Times, 3 July 2025

The museum, which was not identified in the press release, had allegedly received the threatening letters since April 2024. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 24 June 2025

Freddie's breed can come across as less threatening than other, larger dogs, creating a calmer environment for everyone. —Adam Hudacek, CBS News, 9 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1530, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing threatening

• life-threatening

Rhymes for threatening

• nonthreatening