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
Urgent or threatening language – Messages that pressure you to pay immediately or threaten fines and legal action are often scams.
—
Zak Doffman, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
In a separate civil suit, which Jabbari filed in March 2024 and later settled, Jabbari described an instance where a fight over her having a friend over devolved into Majors becoming violent and threatening to kill her.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
At some point, the Kremlin’s politics and military posture may change in ways that make Russia less threatening.
—Michael E. O’Hanlon, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2025
Streamer Hasan Piker is back on the platform a day after making a potentially threatening joke about Sen. Rick Scott.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for threatening
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Zak Doffman, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
In a separate civil suit, which Jabbari filed in March 2024 and later settled, Jabbari described an instance where a fight over her having a friend over devolved into Majors becoming violent and threatening to kill her.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 19 Mar. 2025
At some point, the Kremlin’s politics and military posture may change in ways that make Russia less threatening.
—Michael E. O’Hanlon, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2025
Streamer Hasan Piker is back on the platform a day after making a potentially threatening joke about Sen. Rick Scott.
—Justin Curto, Vulture, 4 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 2025.
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