1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
economists warning of a threatening recession
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in dangerous
involving potential loss or injury
threatening rocks lined that narrow stretch of the river through which we would be rafting
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in menacing
to remain poised to inflict harm, danger, or distress on
the powerful hurricane continues to threaten the southern coastline
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of threatening
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Survivor all-star Christian Hubicki was kind to Jimmy Fallon, not even screaming at, threatening, or lunging toward the host who ruined his game on Survivor 50.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
None of the injuries were critical or life threatening and everyone is accounted for, city spokesperson Brittany Brown told CNN Wednesday.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
Three others sustained serious injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 24 Apr. 2026
Survivor all-star Christian Hubicki was kind to Jimmy Fallon, not even screaming at, threatening, or lunging toward the host who ruined his game on Survivor 50.
—Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
If the sky becomes threatening and thunder can be heard, find a safe place to shelter.
—Star-Telegram Weather Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Apr. 2026
None of the injuries were critical or life threatening and everyone is accounted for, city spokesperson Brittany Brown told CNN Wednesday.
—Briana Waxman, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
The relationship set the tone for what was to come over the impending months — from that spark to culminating the deal in the last few weeks.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2026
-
By the time Cale Makar picked up the puck on the offensive line, exploiting Taylor Ward in a mismatched one-on-one before sniping short side past Anton Forsberg, the impending sweep was clear.—
Peter Baugh,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
If the sky turns ominous and thunder can be heard, find a secure place for shelter.—
KANSAS CITY STAR WEATHER BOT,
Kansas City Star,
27 Apr. 2026
-
With the game tied and things looking ominous for the Galaxy, Elijah Wynder was held on a cross into the box.—
Damian Calhoun,
Daily News,
27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The procedures noted that in some cases, outing students to parents could be dangerous to their health and well-being, and school officials should ask the students for consent to notify their parents of the support plan.—
Melissa Quinn,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
-
The world is more dangerous for leaders, across multiple dimensions.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
27 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Santiago was charged with menacing a police officer and criminal possession of a weapon.—
Nicholas Williams,
New York Daily News,
25 Apr. 2026
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Some argue that the only way to stop Iran from menacing the region and its people is to crush this regime.—
Dennis Ross,
The Atlantic,
13 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
Upending age-old narrative traditions, Paul’s heroism takes a sinister turn when Herbert reveals that the Bene Gesserit, an Illuminati-like secretive order of psychic matriarchs, has long been conditioning the Fremen to expect the arrival of a messiah, or mahdi, in their native tongue.—
Big Think,
Big Think,
29 Apr. 2026
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This advertised butt jokes, campy fight montages and sinister Seth Rogen laughs.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA Today,
28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
For their study, the researchers focused specifically on PVC microplastics, as these are among the most hazardous and are prevalent in drinking water, Gonçalves dos Reis said.—
Laura Paddison,
CNN Money,
29 Apr. 2026
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The two groups are combining university research with engineering expertise to introduce advanced robots that can safely navigate and manage tasks in hazardous nuclear environments.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Kropp was charged with involuntary manslaughter and endangering children, while Cherry was charged with obstructing justice, arrest records show.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
26 Apr. 2026
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British authorities arrested a man from Sudan last week on suspicion of endangering life in that case.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
24 Apr. 2026
Adjective
-
The company has raced to buy as much computing power as possible, making $600 billion in spending commitments last year.—
Tom Chivers,
semafor.com,
28 Apr. 2026
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Determined to rise to the occasion and work out every possible kink, Daisy sets out to resolve conflicts between the stews and in the galley.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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