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
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
There are other strong potential challengers but none are as threatening as Kemp.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
There hasn’t been much threatening beyond the top two lines, not with McMann struggling to score and Nick Robertson, seventh on the team in goals during the regular season, out of the lineup.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
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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
There are other strong potential challengers but none are as threatening as Kemp.
—Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 May 2025
There hasn’t been much threatening beyond the top two lines, not with McMann struggling to score and Nick Robertson, seventh on the team in goals during the regular season, out of the lineup.
—Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 30 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 19 May. 2025.
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