1
as in impending
giving signs of immediate occurrence
economists warning of a threatening recession
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025
For some millennials and the generations before them, childhood was peppered with intimidating and threatening phrases parents deployed regularly.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 6 May 2025
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Adjective
Jonathan Williams was charged with five counts of second-degree failure to appear, two counts of first-degree failure to appear and a single count of second-degree threatening and disorderly conduct.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 7 May 2025
For some millennials and the generations before them, childhood was peppered with intimidating and threatening phrases parents deployed regularly.
—Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 6 May 2025
Verb
Richard curses again, threatening Blum.
—Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 8 Jan. 2025
The Palisades fire has garnered headlines, but the Hurst and Eaton fires have also been threatening very populated areas.
—Marshall Shepherd, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Recent Examples of Synonyms for threatening
Adjective
-
The Sox, who have lost eight of their nine road series this season, look to avoid getting swept Wednesday in a game that was moved up to 12:10 p.m. CT because of impending weather.—
LaMond Pope,
Chicago Tribune,
28 May 2025
-
The German attacking midfielder is one of the brightest talents in soccer right now and his impending departure from Bayer Leverkusen had become a saga.—
Graham Ruthven,
Forbes.com,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
In a small 18th-century English village, locals hear ominous barking.—
Shannon Carlin,
Time,
22 May 2025
-
There’s a shift in the second to last episode when Michaela suddenly becomes not ridiculous or ominous, but self-aware and human and someone who very clearly sees what a fraud her life has been.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
22 May 2025
Adjective
-
Cruise’s wing-walking sequence was somehow even more dangerous.—
Tyler Foggatt,
New Yorker,
24 May 2025
-
Even ejecting from the aircraft can be dangerous and traumatic.—
Olivia B. Waxman,
Time,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Though it was written around the time of Malibu’s Woolsey fire, the 14-minute long dirge that encompasses flames in Malibu and a cougar that roams the hills took on a new and sinister meaning in the aftermath of the more recent fires.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
19 May 2025
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With the two men mismatched in temperament and direction, Diller was gone in a year and a half—fleeing one sinister Davis (Martin) for the arms of another, equally sinister one (Marvin), who controlled Twentieth Century Fox.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
19 May 2025
Adjective
-
Other parts of the southeastern US could see hazardous weather Friday afternoon and evening.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
30 May 2025
-
However, a small portion of them, known as potentially hazardous asteroids (PHAs), do require close monitoring.—
Soo Kim,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 May 2025
Verb
-
Officers are rarely — if ever — punished for hitting or endangering bystanders.—
Shelby Grad,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2025
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Amanda Davila, 28, was sentenced to three years in prison after being convicted in January of endangering the welfare of a child in relation to the death of 6-year-old Fajr Atiya Williams.—
Samira Asma-Sadeque,
People.com,
11 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This model would not be possible without the commitment, sensitivity and dedication of the members of the Mexican Foreign Service who work daily within the consular network to make this vision a reality, always placing the individual at the center of diplomatic action.—
Alicia G Kerber Palma,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
29 May 2025
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If the patient is a child, the conversation will involve the family or caregiver when possible.—
Jen Christensen,
CNN Money,
29 May 2025
Adjective
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If the sky becomes menacing and thunder becomes audible, seek out a safe place to seek shelter.—
NC Weather Bot,
Charlotte Observer,
29 May 2025
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The man was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault strangulation, second-degree kidnapping, false imprisonment, menacing and prohibited use of weapons, deputies said.—
Sara Schilling,
Sacbee.com,
23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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