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 risks and costs of this crisis are a thousand times more threatening to our country than COVID-19.
—
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
According to The Athletic, Donald received threatening emails from Anwar five years ago and has since sent him packages and gifts while stalking him and threatening the life of his 3-year-old son.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Things that people think are morally abnormal – aberrant behavior, transgressions, violations of their most sacred values – are viewed as highly threatening and necessary to shut down, with force if necessary.
—Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
The move to a three-center-back system against the Union helped stifle a potent attack and could be quite useful against an equally threatening Red Bulls side.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Jordan King, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
According to The Athletic, Donald received threatening emails from Anwar five years ago and has since sent him packages and gifts while stalking him and threatening the life of his 3-year-old son.
—Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 17 Apr. 2025
Things that people think are morally abnormal – aberrant behavior, transgressions, violations of their most sacred values – are viewed as highly threatening and necessary to shut down, with force if necessary.
—Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
The move to a three-center-back system against the Union helped stifle a potent attack and could be quite useful against an equally threatening Red Bulls side.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share