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
After receiving yet another threatening call that evening, the pastor’s resolve crumbled.
—
John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Some teams are leaning on the numbers in these situations by not risking a threatening opportunity.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
With a threatening presence, Duris makes for a sinister villain.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
My understanding is that many of these attacks were very threatening to her physical security.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for threatening 
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John Blake, CNN, 19 Jan. 2025
Some teams are leaning on the numbers in these situations by not risking a threatening opportunity.
—Mark Carey, The Athletic, 18 Jan. 2025
With a threatening presence, Duris makes for a sinister villain.
—Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 18 Jan. 2025
My understanding is that many of these attacks were very threatening to her physical security.
—Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for threatening
Dictionary Entries Near threatening
Cite this Entry
“Threatening.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/threatening. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.
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