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
Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2025
Measles is highly contagious and is most threatening to unvaccinated individuals, Fox News' senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 14 Mar. 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
Sidoti faces charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree burglary, second-degree breach of peace, conspiracy to commit first-degree assault, conspiracy to commit second-degree assault, second-degree threatening and first-degree reckless endangerment.
—Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 25 Mar. 2025
Measles is highly contagious and is most threatening to unvaccinated individuals, Fox News' senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital.
—Angelica Stabile, Fox News, 14 Mar. 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
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Of course, the only real miscommunication seems to stem from their own fraught union amid the pressures of an impending adoption.—
Samantha Bergeson,
IndieWire,
10 Apr. 2025
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The central narrative thread woven through this impending clash revolves around the question of Heyman's ultimate allegiance.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Living in this area means constantly being on high alert when the weather turns ominous.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
People.com,
5 Apr. 2025
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The rest of the night wasn’t so bleak, but the ominous start did accurately forecast the result.—
Bennett Durando,
Denver Post,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Both teams possess forwards who are dangerous when running in behind defences.—
Carl Anka,
New York Times,
6 Apr. 2025
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Their righteous scores soon turn dangerous when the pair end up robbing the wrong house to one of the biggest and secretive narcotics operations on the East coast.—
Destiny Jackson,
Deadline,
6 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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The supernatural thriller is set in the Jim Crow South, where twin brothers—each played by Jordan—return home from Chicago with hopes of starting over, only to confront a sinister force that’s been waiting for them.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 Apr. 2025
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The banal village tunes that Mahler altered into sinister mock vulgarities—did these not recall the raffish klezmer bands, the wandering musicians who played at shtetl weddings?—
David Denby,
The Atlantic,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Specialized drivers transporting hazardous materials or oversized loads can earn $75,750–$118,600 per year, while owner-operators may make $85,000–$100,000, excluding maintenance expenses.—
Jack Kelly,
Forbes.com,
9 Apr. 2025
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Authorities raised the alert level, warning of the potential for further hazardous volcanic activity.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Verb
-
Wilson, 46, is charged with murder, manslaughter and endangering the welfare of a child for the explosion of violence inside the victim’s apartment on Macombs Road near Inwood Ave.—
John Annese,
New York Daily News,
21 Dec. 2024
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Cloe Workman, 20, is charged in Hamilton County Municipal Court with misdemeanor child endangering and domestic violence.—
Cameron Knight,
The Enquirer,
20 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Especially one that’s not going to off-gas chemicals and that’s as natural as possible.—
Ingrid Schmidt,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Apr. 2025
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When as natural as possible is your ultimate goal, Jergens is your bestie.—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
10 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Until Henry momentarily excuses himself from the table, that is, and the person or persons behind these winky-wink messages tell her to poison Henry ASAP or the menacing guy currently hiding in her apartment will kill her boy.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
10 Apr. 2025
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Ivan Koloff Oreal Donald Perras, wrestling as Ivan Koloff, became synonymous with the menacing Soviet villain.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/threatening. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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