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
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
The problematic comparison is that the United centre-back Harry Maguire was more threatening in his eight minutes on the pitch than Garnacho — or Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee for that matter.
—
Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
This legislation made its way through Congress back then in part because there was societal acceptance of the false belief that the Chinese were immutably immoral and threatening.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
Diego Luna, a U.S. national team member, is the most threatening attacker.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2025
Mammoth storm forecast in the central US this weekend
The largest and most threatening weather event on the horizon will occur over the weekend and could impact two-thirds of the country.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
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Laurie Whitwell, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025
This legislation made its way through Congress back then in part because there was societal acceptance of the false belief that the Chinese were immutably immoral and threatening.
—Agustina Vergara Cid, Oc Register, 30 Mar. 2025
Diego Luna, a U.S. national team member, is the most threatening attacker.
—Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 28 Mar. 2025
Mammoth storm forecast in the central US this weekend
The largest and most threatening weather event on the horizon will occur over the weekend and could impact two-thirds of the country.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
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